GEORGIANA.
Tris--no.
SIR TRISTRAM.
I have--but I"ve got an introduction to his twin-sister, Georgiana!
GEORGIANA.
[_s.n.a.t.c.hing her hand away angrily._] Stay where you are; I"ll nurse my half alone. [_She goes towards the window, then starts back._] Hush!
SIR TRISTRAM.
What"s the matter?
GEORGIANA.
Didn"t you hear something?
SIR TRISTRAM.
Where?
GEORGIANA.
[_Pointing to the window._] There.
SIR TRISTRAM.
[_Peeping through the curtains._] You"re right. Some people moving about the garden.
GEORGIANA.
Tris! The horse!
SIR TRISTRAM.
They"re not near the stables. They"re coming in here. Hush! We"ll clear out and watch!
[_SIR TRISTRAM takes the candlestick and they go out leaving the room in darkness. The curtains at the window are pushed aside, and SALOME and SHEBA enter; both in their fancy dresses._
SALOME.
[_In a rage, lighting the candles on the mantelpiece._] Oh! oh! oh!
SHEBA.
Oh! oh! No ball after all!
SALOME.
If we only had a brother to avenge us!
SHEBA.
I shall try and borrow a brother to-morrow!
SALOME.
Cold, wretched, splashed, in debt--for nothing!
SHEBA.
To think that we"ve had all the inconvenience of being wicked and rebellious and have only half done it!
SALOME.
This comes of stooping to the Military!
SHEBA.
It serves us right--we"ve been trained for clergymen"s wives. I hate Nugent Darbey. I hope he may grow bald early!
SALOME.
Gerald Tarver"s nose is inclined to pink--may it deepen and deepen till it frightens cows!
[_Voices are heard from the curtained window recess._
DARBEY.
[_Outside._] Miss Jedd--Sheba!
TARVER.
[_Outside._] Pray hear two wretched men! Miss Jedd!
SALOME.
[_In a whisper._] There they are.
SHEBA.
Shall we grant them a dignified interview?
SALOME.
Yes. Curl your lip, Sheba.