Chapter 8

[_After a further pause._] Ah, well--! [_With a deep sigh._] Ah, well! [_To FARNCOMBE, resignedly._] Farncombe, I-- I'm afraid I'm a shocking brute. I-- I got carried away. Forget-- forget the things I've said of this girl. Forget 'em, will yer? [_Starting to his feet._] And look here! A man who isn't a sportsman deserves to be shot. You've won her; I've lost her. Congratulate yer, old chap; congratulate yer! [_Pulling on his cap._] Take care of her, that's all; m-m-mind you take care of her!

[_He turns towards the door and she jumps up and runs to him and seizes his arm. FARNCOMBE also rises._

LILY.

No, no, Nicko! Nicko--! [_Giving FARNCOMBE a half frightened, half imploring look._] Nicko, I can't undo the mischief I've done; I can't do that. But I can try to make it up to you-- some of it-- and I will, if you'll let me. [_Putting her arms round his shoulders._] Nicko----!

JEYES.

[_Roughly._] Make it-- up to me?

LILY.

[_Her face close to his._] You know what I mean! As soon as possible-- next month, if you like-- next week-- quietly--! [_He grips her arms and stares at her blankly._] Ha, ha! Yes, you've been in too great a hurry to settle matters, _you_ have. Lord Farncombe and I-- we-- _we're_ not going to be married. I've refused him. [_Wildly._] I-- I've ruined _you_, Nicko; but I-- I've told him-- I'm not going to draw _him_ into my net! [_Clinging to JEYES and burying her face in the breast of his coat, crying._] Oh! Oh! Oh! I'm not going to draw _him_ into my net!

[_Again there is a pause and then JEYES turns to FARNCOMBE, dazed._

JEYES.

Farncombe----?

FARNCOMBE.

[_Inclining his head._] Yes-- yes----

JEYES.

[_With feeling._] My dear fellow, I-- I----!

LILY.

[_Raising her head and speaking through her tears-- to JEYES._] Nicko, I-- I want to have one more word with Lord Farncombe-- just one more word. [_He nods understandingly and goes to the door on the left. She follows him._] Only a minute; [_he opens the door_] and then you must walk away together, you and he, and part good friends. [_He goes out on to the landing and she closes the door and stands with her back to it, drying her eyes with her handkerchief. FARNCOMBE, still carrying his hat and overcoat, has crossed to the settee, a forlorn figure._] W-w-well, you-- you _have_ had a lucky escape, haven't you?

FARNCOMBE.

[_Heavily._] Escape?

LILY.

[_Leaving the door and advancing._] You-- you've heard what a cold-blooded, selfish wretch I am-- how I've treated Nicko!

FARNCOMBE.

[_Waving the idea away._] Oh----!

LILY.

[_Coming to him._] And you've seen what I'm like when I'm in a rage; you've seen what the genuine Lily Margaret Upjohn is, without her disguise. [_Looking up into his face pathetically._] Yes, that was _me_, Eddie, under the crust. Common as dirt, dear; common as dirt! [_Holding the lapels of his coat._] Oh! Oh, you'll always remember me, with my eyes starting out of my head, spitting at Nicko! You'll always picture that horrible sight when you think of me.

FARNCOMBE.

You-- you were provoked; I-- I admired you for it.

LILY.

[_Tenderly._] Ah, you dear boy! [_In an altered tone._] Eddie----

FARNCOMBE.

Yes?

LILY.

Had you-- a little hope-- that, after all, I might turn your offer over in my mind and-- and eventually----?

FARNCOMBE.

Yes-- yes.

LILY.

[_With a catch in her breath._] Ah----! [_In a whisper._] I-- I'll tell you something.

FARNCOMBE.

What?

LILY.

[_In his ear._] I _might_ have, if-- if you'd persisted.

FARNCOMBE.

[_Groaning._] Oh-h-h-h!

LILY.

[_Retreating a step or two._] Thank God Nicko came along! Thank God Nicko came along! _What_ was it his mother called us girls? A menace to society; creatures to be dreaded, and prayed against! You see I was right in wishing to protect you for your mammy's sake as well as your own. But, oh-- thank God Nicko came along! [_He sits suddenly upon the settee and covers his face with his hands. She returns to him quickly._] Ah, don't do that; don't do that! [_Touching his hands._] Eddie! Eddie! I'm not worth it. Eddie! [_With an effort, he lifts his head._] Listen. _This_ is what I want to say to you. Don't come near me any more; you mustn't. And don't come to the theatre again either. If I thought you were sitting in front, I-- I'm sure I couldn't----! [_Entreatingly._] Swear-- swear you'll keep away from me, and from the theatre! [_He nods._] And you'll never go to any supper or dinner or dance where you're likely to meet the other girls, will you? Eddie! [_He shakes his head._] Swear! [_He rises and, as he does so, she grips the lapels of his coat again, her eyes blazing fiercely._] Oh! Oh! If one of the other girls ever got hold of you, I-- I-- [_hissing into his face_] I'd kill her! [_She leaves him and goes to the door on the left and opens it._] Nicko! [_JEYES enters the room._] March, both of you! [_Exhausted._] I-- I'm pretty well baked. [_FARNCOMBE joins LILY and JEYES at the door and she stands between the two men looking from one to the other and taking a hand of each._] Ha, ha, ha! I've made the _pair_ of you precious miserable, if you only knew it. [_To JEYES._] The difference is that _he'll_ soon forget me, and _you_, with _me_ for a wife, are doomed for life. [_Putting her hands upon JEYES' shoulders._] Nicko----! [_She kisses him lightly and, having done so, asks him a question with her eyes. JEYES turns aside and she faces FARNCOMBE and offers him her lips. They kiss._] Good-bye. [_After a moment's pause, to both of them._] Away with you! [_The two men go out and she follows them to the top of the stairs and watches them descend. Then she slowly comes back into the room and stands listening at the door. There is a distant sound._] Ah! [_Partly closing the door, she wanders about the room aimlessly for a while. Then, impulsively, she runs to the further window, lifts the sash, and looks below._] Ah!... Ah!... [_Drawing back._] Ah-h-h-h----!

[_She shuts the window and comes to the settee and, sitting there, takes off her shoes. Then she goes down upon the floor inelegantly, hunts for her slippers, and puts them on. As she rises, the door on the left is pushed open and MRS. UPJOHN peeps in cautiously._

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_In a dressing-gown and with her hair, now very scanty, tightly screwed up._] Lil----?

LILY.

[_Stiffening herself and speaking in a cold, level voice._] Oh, I was just coming up to you, mother, to get you to undo me.

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Bustling to LILY._] I didn't mean to, but I fell off. [_Unhooking LILY'S dress._] It _was_ the front-door I 'eard a minute ago, then? It gave me sech a start. [_In difficulties with the hooks._] Turn more to the light, dearie. These dressmakers do it a' purpose, I b'lieve. The 'ooks on that noo gown o' mine are a perfect myst'ry. Wot's _this_?

LILY.

[_Twisting her body._] Oh, don't fiddle so, mother!

MRS. UPJOHN.

You _did_ let 'im stay a time, Lil. 'Eaps to talk over, eh?

LILY.

[_Stonily._] Heaps. [_Trying to assist MRS. UPJOHN._] Oh----!

MRS. UPJOHN.

Well, dear; well, well! Tell me wot's took place. Don't keep me in suspense.

LILY.

I shan't tell you anything, mother, till I've had a sleep. I must go through the sheets first. [_Stamping her foot._] Oh, tear the thing; tear it!

MRS. UPJOHN.

'Ave you consented to make 'im 'appy, poor young gentleman? That's all I want to know, Lil. [_Overcoming a hook._] There!

LILY.

Thank you, mother. [_Slipping her arms out of her dress._] I can manage the rest.

MRS. UPJOHN.

But, Lil, dearie----!

LILY.

Oh, for mercy's sake, leave me alone! [_Violently._] Why can't you leave me alone!

MRS. UPJOHN.

Ho! Very good! [_Moving away indignantly as LILY, with shaking fingers, unfastens a necklace._] _This_ is my reward for layin' awake 'alf the night, is it, an' for thinkin' of you, an' wonderin' about you! Ungrateful little puss, you! [_Going towards the door._] After this, you can keep your affairs to yourself for as long as ever you choose. Don't you expect _me_----!

LILY.

[_Suddenly, sitting upon the settee._] Mother----!

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Sharply._] Yes?

LILY.

[_Her hand to her brow._] Oh, mother----!

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Hurrying to LILY._] Wot is it?

LILY.

[_Swaying._] At last-- at last----!

MRS. UPJOHN.

At last----?

LILY.

[_Clinging to MRS. UPJOHN._] I'm in love, mother-- I'm in love-- in love-- in love----!

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

THE FOURTH ACT

_The scene is the same as in the preceding act, but the light outside is brighter and warmer and in the room is more diffused. On the table in the centre, placed close to the settee, there is a small tray with a breakfast of tea and toast upon it. The bedroom door is partly open._

[_LILY, wan and red-eyed, is lying, propped up by cushions, upon the settee. A newspaper is on her lap but she is gazing at vacancy. She is in _négligé_. A dainty morning-robe covers her night-gown, her bare feet are in slippers, and her hair is in a simple knot. MAUD is at one of the drawers of the cupboard at the back, engaged in selecting some articles of _lingerie_, and MRS. UPJOHN, completely dressed for the day, is sitting in the arm-chair by the centre table, her face hidden by a newspaper which she is reading. Presently MAUD shuts the drawer and, carrying the _lingerie_, comes forward._

MAUD.

[_To LILY._] What frock'll you put on?

LILY.

[_Starting slightly._] Eh?

MAUD.

One of your embroidered muslins, or your Ninon?

LILY.

[_Languidly._] Either; _I_ don't care.

MAUD.

Oh, gracious, what on earth _is_ the matter with you this morning! I've never known you as queer as this after any hop you've been to in _my_ time. [_To MRS. UPJOHN, who has lowered her paper._] Nothing wrong, is there?

LILY.

[_Turning over and burying her head in the cushions._] Maud.

MAUD.

[_Moving to the settee and bending over LILY._] Here I am, lovey.

LILY.

[_In a muffled voice._] Go into the next room and shut the door, and don't let me see your stupid, fat face till I come to you.

MAUD.

[_Laughing heartily._] Ha, ha, ha! Ho, ho, ho! That's better. [_Going to the bedroom door._] That's how I like to hear her talk. We needn't send for Dr. Gilson yet awhile. Ha, ha, ha!

[_She disappears into the bedroom and closes the door._

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Looking at LILY._] Lil.

LILY.

Yes, mother?

MRS. UPJOHN.

'Ave another cup o' tea, won't you?

LILY.

No.

MRS. UPJOHN.

'Nother bit o' toast, then?

LILY.

No.

MRS. UPJOHN.

Smoke a cigarette.

LILY.

No.

MRS. UPJOHN.

You always _do_ 'ave a w'iff after your breakfast. Come!

LILY.

No.

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Rising and walking away._] Oh, dear; oh, dear! Deuce take Carlton Smythe an' 'is supper party-- those are _my_ sentiments; _an'_ Lal Roper, busybody that 'e is! Things were goin' on with us as smooth an' peaceful as could be, before this upset.

LILY.

[_Raising herself, angrily._] _You_ were in it, mother; you're as much to blame as anybody.

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Halting._] 'Ow _in_ it?

LILY.

In Uncle Lal's artful plan to prevent Nicko from being invited. You've confessed you were.

MRS. UPJOHN.

Lal twisted me round 'is little finger. I was clay in the porter's 'and, as your dad was fond of sayin'.

LILY.

[_Changing her position._] If only Nicko had been there, I shouldn't have given young Farncombe all those dances, nor wandered about with him in the intervals, nor allowed him to see me home. It all simply wouldn't, _couldn't_ have happened. [_Hitting a cushion._] Oh! [_Sitting up and embracing her knees._] Mother----!

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Behind the settee._] Wot?

LILY.

[_Knitting her brows._] I-- I'm so surprised at myself.

MRS. UPJOHN.

Surprised?

LILY.

So-- so disappointed with myself.

MRS. UPJOHN.

Why, you 'aven't done anything that-- that's not quite respectable, Lil. On the cont'ry----

LILY.

No, I haven't done anything that's actually not nice, but-- fancy!----

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Close to LILY._] Fancy----?

LILY.

[_Opening her eyes widely._] Fancy my letting myself go with young Farncombe as I did! _He-- he'd_ been admiring me from a distance for weeks and weeks, but I'd scarcely noticed him till last night! [_Leaning her head against MRS. UPJOHN, softly._] I-- I always thought I was such a cold girl, mother, in-- in that way.

MRS. UPJOHN.

I s'pose it was wot's called love at first sight, Lil.

LILY.

[_Laughing shamefacedly._] Ha, ha, ha! [_Putting her feet to the ground and shielding her face with her hands._] Oh, don't talk rot, mother.

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Moving away._] Any'ow, it's not too late, Lil-- even now----

LILY.

Not too late----?

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Behind the centre table._] To back out, dearie. The Captain couldn't possibly 'old you to a 'asty promise given 'im between four an' five in the mornin'.

LILY.

Oh! Oh, how _can_ you! I've passed my word to Nicko and I wouldn't break it for twenty thousand pounds. [_Looking up._] Mother----!

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Fussing with the things upon the table._] Yes?

LILY.

[_Resolutely._] I'm going to pull Nicko _up_, mother. I've dragged him down, and I mean to raise him. [_Clenching her hands._] So help me God, I do!

MRS. UPJOHN.

Well, you've got a tough job before you, Lil, in my opinion.

LILY.

Perhaps; but I mean to succeed. [_After a pause._] Besides----

MRS. UPJOHN.

Besides----?

LILY.

[_Slowly._] I've told you-- Nicko or no Nicko-- I'm determined-- I'm determined not to draw Eddie Farncombe into my net.

MRS. UPJOHN.

Into your _net_? [_Another pause._] Lil----

LILY.

Eh?

MRS. UPJOHN.

That's twice you've made use o' that remark. 'Oo's accused you----? [_There is a lively rat-tat at the door on the left._] Come in!

[_The door opens and JIMMIE BIRCH bounces into the room._

JIMMIE.

[_As she closes the door._] Ah, Ma! Ah, Lillums!

MRS. UPJOHN.

Good mornin'.

JIMMIE.

[_Kissing MRS. UPJOHN._] Ha, ha! We've met before, this morning, haven't we! [_Coming to LILY._] Well, dear old girl, and how are _you_ to-day? [_Kissing LILY and then eyeing her keenly._] A wreck?

LILY.

Rather.

JIMMIE.

I _ought_ to be, but I'm not. Directly I laid my pretty head on my pillow I went off, and never stirred till I found the breakfast-tray on my chest. [_Reckoning on her fingers._] Five to six-- six to seven-- seven to eight-- eight to nine-- nine to ten-- ten to eleven. I've had six hours; that's not so dusty. [_To LILY, slyly._] You didn't sleep very soundly, probably?

LILY.

Not very.

JIMMIE.

[_Smiling from ear to ear._] Excited? [_LILY shrugs her shoulders. There is a silence and then JIMMIE, still beaming, looks round and sees that MRS. UPJOHN has seated herself upon the fauteuil-stool._] May I sit down for a minute?

LILY.

Of course, Jimmie; do.

[_JIMMIE sits in the arm-chair by the centre table, awaiting some communication which doesn't come. MRS. UPJOHN drums upon the table with her fingers and LILY busies herself with re-arranging the cushions on the settee._

JIMMIE.

[_After a while._] Hope I haven't dropped in too early?

LILY.

[_Settling her shoulders into the cushions._] Not a bit, dear.

JIMMIE.

It's nearly half-past twelve. I-- I _dashed_ round. [_After another pause, unable to restrain herself further._] Any news? Any-any-anything to tell me?

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Abruptly._] Yes.

JIMMIE.

W-w-what----?

MRS. UPJOHN.

Lil's engaged.

JIMMIE.

Hah! [_Triumphantly._] Hah, hah! [_Clapping her hands and beating her feet upon the floor._] Hah, hah, hah, hah! [_Jumping up and sitting beside LILY and hugging and kissing her._] Oh! Oh! Oh! Y'm! Y'm! Y'm! Oh, you humbugs! [_Rising and rushing at MRS. UPJOHN and embracing her._] You solemn humbug, Ma! [_Leaving MRS. UPJOHN and singing and dancing to the refrain sung in the previous Act._] "If you would only, only love me;--" Ha, ha, ha! "If you would merely, merely say,----" [_Her voice gradually dying away as she sees that the expression on LILY'S face, and upon MRS. UPJOHN'S, doesn't alter._] "Wait but a little-- [_standing still_] little-- for me----"

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Caustically._] Yes, you _'ad_ better wait a little; you'd better wait till you 'ear _'oo_ she's engaged _to_.

JIMMIE.

Who-- to!

LILY.

[_Studying her nails._] _Whom_ to, mother.

JIMMIE.

Why, isn't it----?

MRS. UPJOHN.

No, it ain't. It's the Captain.

JIMMIE.

T-t-the Cap--! [_To LILY._] N-n-nicko? [_LILY nods. JIMMIE draws a deep breath._] Oh-h-h-h!

LILY.

[_Calmly._] Nicko turned up here early this morning-- while Eddie-- while Lord Farncombe was with me, in fact-- and I-- we-- the three of us-- we talked matters over, and-- and----

JIMMIE.

[_Her eyes starting out of her head._] Was there a row?

LILY.

Oh, don't be so curious, Jimmie. Poor Nicko has been after me for six years. A girl must play the game, if she's at all decent and wishes to preserve a shred of self-respect.

[_Again there is a pause and then JIMMIE silently resumes her seat in the arm-chair._

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Moistening her lips with her tongue-- to JIMMIE._] 'Ow do you feel about it?

JIMMIE.

[_Thoughtfully._] How do I feel about it? [_To LILY._] May I say?

LILY.

[_Coldly._] Certainly.

JIMMIE.

[_Rubbing the arm of her chair with the palm of her hand._] Well, if I were on board a ship at this moment, I should be ringing for the stewardess; that's how I feel about it.

LILY.

[_Throwing herself, face downward, at full length upon the settee._] Oh! Oh, you're just like the rest of our girls on the question of marriage! You-- you-- you're detestable!

JIMMIE.

[_Sliding out of her chair and kneeling at the settee and putting an arm round LILY._] Oh, Lil-- Lil----!

LILY.

[_Repulsing her._] Yes, you are! [_Raising herself upon her elbow._] You'd rejoice to see me draw this boy into my net, wouldn't you! You know you would. [_MRS. UPJOHN rises and comes forward._] I dare say you jolly well wouldn't object to catching him yourself if you'd half a chance! [_Fiercely._] You try it; you try it-- you, or any of you!

JIMMIE.

[_Attempting to rise, scandalised._] Oh----!

LILY.

[_Holding her._] No, no----! Jimmie----!

MRS. UPJOHN.

Lil, I'm perfec'ly ashamed of you, speakin' to Jimmie Birch in that manner.

LILY.

[_Dropping her head on JIMMIE'S shoulder._] Oh----!

JIMMIE.

She doesn't mean it.

MRS. UPJOHN.

I 'ope not. It ain't exac'ly pleasant to 'ave a dog in the manger for a daughter. [_To LILY._] Why _shouldn't_ young Farncombe turn 'is attention to Miss Birch, pray, or to any young lady who doesn't object to take your leavin's!

JIMMIE.

[_To MRS. UPJOHN._] H'sh, h'sh, h'sh!

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Walking about._] No, I won't 'ush!

JIMMIE.

[_To LILY, quietly._] I'll come back in the afternoon.

MRS. UPJOHN.

Lil seems to 'ave got some maggot or other in 'er brain about drawin' Lord Farncombe into 'er _net_. Net indeed! [_JIMMIE, not heeding MRS. UPJOHN, arranges LILY comfortably upon the settee and then rises and smoothes out her skirt preparatory to departure._] As Lal Roper was sayin' yesterday, our tiptop, aristocratic English fam'lies ought to be 'xtremely grateful that strong, 'ealthy perfeshunals o' the class of Miss 'Arker an' Miss Trevail an' Miss Shafto are enterin' their ranks. An' if Lil chooses to be pig-'eaded enough----! [_JIMMIE makes a movement towards MRS. UPJOHN._] 'Ave a bottle o' ginger beer before you go. [_There is a prolonged, playful knocking at the door on the left followed, on the part of those in the room, by a gloomy pause._] That _is_ Lal.

LILY.

[_Groaning._] Oh-h-h-h!

JIMMIE.

[_Drawing a long face._] H'm!

LILY.

[_To JIMMIE._] Oh, Jimmie-- stay----!

[_The knocking is repeated. JIMMIE retreats to the right as MRS. UPJOHN goes to the door and opens it. ROPER is outside._

ROPER.

[_Entering, in high spirits._] Hullo, hullo, hullo, hul-lo! [_Embracing MRS. UPJOHN._] Morning, Ma! [_Advancing._] Any _more_ bids for the handsome gilt candelabra with the crystal drops? Ha, ha, ha! [_To JIMMIE._] Morning, Jimmie! [_Looking down, upon LILY, eagerly._] Well, Lil! Well, my pet!

LILY.

[_In a weary tone, giving him the tips of her fingers and then turning upon her side with her face to the back of the settee._] How are you, Uncle Lal?

ROPER.

[_Chilled._] Oh, I-- thank you, Lil-- [_After a short pause, to MRS. UPJOHN-- glancing at LILY._] Not up to much to-day?

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Glumly._] No great shakes.

ROPER.

Dancing too hard, I 'spect.

MRS. UPJOHN.

A deal too 'ard.

ROPER.

[_After another pause._] Anything else amiss, Ma?

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Sitting upon the box-ottoman-- to JIMMIE, who is at the piano examining some of the music._] _You_ tell Lal, Jimmie.

ROPER.

T-t-tell--? [_To JIMMIE, who comes to the settee-- apprehensively._] Jimmie----!

JIMMIE.

[_Behind the settee, gravely._] No, the old Pandora isn't going to score _this_ time, Lal.

ROPER.

Isn't going to--? I d-d-don't follow you.

MRS. UPJOHN.

Be plain, Jimmie.

JIMMIE.

[_Endeavouring to relieve the situation._] Ha, ha! Nature's taken precious good care of that, in my case.

ROPER.

[_Angrily._] Now, look here, Jimmie! A jest is a capital thing in its way. No man has a keener sense of humour than Lal Roper. But there _are_ occasions when it's out o' place, and this is one of 'em, my dear; and if it's not putting you to serious inconvenience----

JIMMIE.

[_Also losing her temper._] Oh, well, then, have it in the neck! Lil's declined young Farncombe. There! And when _you_ crack a joke next, Mr. Roper, I beg you'll contrive to favour us with a little variety; [_flouncing away_] because you bore me pallid with your rotten wheezes, and always have done.

ROPER.

[_Going to MRS. UPJOHN, aghast at the tidings._] Ma----!

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_To ROPER, under her breath._] Won't draw 'im into 'er net, Uncle.

ROPER.

Won't draw him into her----?

JIMMIE.

[_At the back._] K-n-e-double t-- net!

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_Pacifically._] Jimmie----!

JIMMIE.

[_Mimicking ROPER derisively._] Hullo, hullo, hullo, hul-lo! Fresh fish from the sea! Buy 'em on the beach; buy 'em on the beach; buy 'em on the beach!

ROPER.

[_To JIMMIE, indignantly._] Jimmie Birch----!

JIMMIE.

[_Sitting upon the fauteuil-stool._] Ha, ha!

ROPER.

[_To MRS. UPJOHN, wiping his brow._] Of course, there is _this_ to be said, Ma. [_Rallying at the idea._] It may be wise of dear Lil to decline Farncombe _at first_. It-- it-- it-- it doesn't do for a girl, does it, to appear to throw herself at _any_ man, let alone a young fellow of the position-- the-- the-- the social status----!

LILY.

[_Suddenly sitting up and putting her feet to the floor again._] Oh, for mercy's sake, cease discussing my affairs in my presence! [_To MRS. UPJOHN._] Mother, why do you keep Uncle Lal in the dark? [_To JIMMIE._] Jimmie, why don't _you_----?

ROPER.

In the dark!

MRS. UPJOHN.

Yes, Lal; your flyin' out at Jimmie over 'er 'armless joke stopped 'er finishin'.

ROPER.

Finishing----?

MRS. UPJOHN.

Lil's not on'y refused young Farncombe but she's gone an' plighted 'erself to another individual.

ROPER.

Plighted herself----?

LILY.

[_Passionately._] To one of the best! To one of the best!

ROPER.

[_Stupefied._] Do I-- do I know him?

JIMMIE.

Ha!

LILY.

Know him! You know him sufficiently to have plotted and schemed to prevent his being asked to the party last night.

JIMMIE.

[_To LILY._] Did Lal do that?

LILY.

_Did_ he!

JIMMIE.

Impudence!

ROPER.

[_Sitting in the arm-chair by the centre table-- quietly._] Jeyes!

JIMMIE.

Nicko.

LILY.

[_Firmly._] Nicko.

MRS. UPJOHN.

But the Captain _was_ at the party last night notwithstandin'.

JIMMIE.

[_To MRS. UPJOHN._] Nonsense, Ma!

LILY.

Yes, Nicko managed to get into the theatre somehow or other.

JIMMIE.

[_To LILY._] And watched you and young Farncombe----!

LILY.

And stationed himself under the portico of Twenty seven, to see who brought me home.

JIMMIE.

Oh----!

MRS. UPJOHN.

'E's always been frightfully jealous, the Captain 'as.

JIMMIE.

[_Looking at ROPER._] Oh, so _really_ it's entirely owing to Lal Roper's interference that matters were brought to a head this morning!

LILY.

[_Her eyes flashing._] Entirely.