LADY FREDERICK.
My dear Paradine, I can"t get over my own magnanimity. And what are the benefits to come?
FOULDES.
Well it might be five per cent. on the capital.
LADY FREDERICK.
I don"t know why you should squeeze my hands all the time.
FOULDES.
But it isn"t. Look here, don"t you get awfully tired of racketting about?
LADY FREDERICK.
Oh, my dear friend, I"m sick to death of it. I"ve got half a mind to retire from the world and bury myself in a hermitage.
FOULDES.
So have I, and I"ve bought the lease of a little house in Norfolk Street, Park Lane.
LADY FREDERICK.
Just the place for a hermitage--fashionable without being vulgar.
FOULDES.
And I propose to live there quite quietly, and I shall just subsist on a few dried herbs, don"t you know.
LADY FREDERICK.
But do have them cooked by a really good French chef; it makes such a difference.
FOULDES.
And what d"you say to joining me?
LADY FREDERICK.
I?
FOULDES.
You.
LADY FREDERICK.
Oh, I _am_ a success to-day. That"s another proposal of marriage.
FOULDES.
It sounds very much like it.
LADY FREDERICK.
I"ve already had three this morning.
FOULDES.
Then I should think you"ve said "no" quite often enough.
LADY FREDERICK.
Come at ten o"clock to-morrow, and you shall see me make up.
FOULDES.
D"you think that would choke me off? D"you suppose I don"t know that behind that very artificial complexion there"s a dear little woman called Betsy who"s genuine to the bottom of her soul?
LADY FREDERICK.
Oh, don"t be so sentimental or I shall cry.
FOULDES.
Well, what is it to be?
LADY FREDERICK.
[_Her voice breaking._] D"you like me still, Paradine, after all these years?
FOULDES.
Yes. [_She looks at him, her lips quivering. He stretches out his arms, and she, breaking down, hides her face on his shoulder._] Now don"t be an a.s.s, Betsy.... I know you"ll say in a minute I"m the only man you ever loved.
LADY FREDERICK.
[_Looking up with a laugh._] I shan"t.... But what will your sister say?
FOULDES.
I"ll tell her there was only one way in which I could save Charlie from your clutches.
LADY FREDERICK.
What?