May I come in?
LADY FREDERICK.
[_Gaily._] It"s a public room. I don"t see how we can possibly prevent you.
GERALD.
I"m just going to take a stroll.
LADY FREDERICK.
Do.
[_He goes out._
FOULDES.
Well? How are things going?
LADY FREDERICK.
Quite well, thank you.
FOULDES.
I"ve left Charlie with his mother. I hope you can spare him for a couple of hours.
LADY FREDERICK.
I told him he must spend the afternoon with her. I don"t approve of his neglecting his filial duty.
FOULDES.
Ah!... I saw d.i.c.k Cohen this morning.
LADY FREDERICK.
[_Quickly._] Did you?
FOULDES.
It seems to interest you?
LADY FREDERICK.
Not at all. Why should it?
FOULDES.
[_Smiling._] Nice little man, isn"t he?
LADY FREDERICK.
[_Good humouredly._] I wish I had something to throw at you.
FOULDES.
[_With a laugh._] Well, I haven"t got the confounded bills. I was too late.
LADY FREDERICK.
Did you try?
FOULDES.
Oh--yes, I thought it would interest Charlie to know how extremely needful it was for you to marry him.
LADY FREDERICK.
Then who on earth has got them?
FOULDES.
I haven"t an idea, but they must make you very uncomfortable. Three thousand five hundred, eh?
LADY FREDERICK.
Don"t say it all at once. It sounds so much.
FOULDES.
You wouldn"t like to exchange those letters of Mereston"s for seven thousand pounds, would you?
LADY FREDERICK.
[_Laughing._] No.
FOULDES.
Ah.... By the way, d"you mind if I tell Charlie the full story of your--relations with me?
LADY FREDERICK.
Why should I? It"s not I who"ll look ridiculous.
FOULDES.
Thanks. I may avail myself of your permission.