[_The door-gong sounds._ BASTLING _appears at the window, and looks into the room._
SOPHY.
[_Whose back is towards the window, soothingly._] No, no, you sha"n"t go across to Valma"s while you"re like this. I"ll make an excuse for you to Captain Bastling--
BASTLING.
[_At the window._] Muriel!
MURIEL.
[_Pa.s.sing_ SOPHY _swiftly._] Napier!
SOPHY.
[_Holding her arm._] Darling--
MURIEL.
[_Freeing herself._] Release me, Sophy! release me! ah--!
[_She joins_ BASTLING _and they disappear. As_ SOPHY _goes to the window and looks out after them,_ QUEX _enters, followed by_ FRAYNE.
QUEX.
[_Glancing round the room._] Miss Fullgarney--
SOPHY.
[_Turning sharply._] Hey? [_Blankly._] Oh--my lord--!
QUEX.
I am compelled to intrude upon you again. I have just met Lady Owbridge, with her Grace and Mrs. Eden in Sackville Street. My aunt sends me with a message to Miss Eden.
SOPHY.
[_Confused._] M--m--Miss Eden?
QUEX.
Mrs. Eden has proposed a lunch at Prince"s, provided that Miss Eden feels equal to--[_Looking about him again._] Where is Miss Eden?
SOPHY.
Where?
QUEX.
She is here--with you.
SOPHY.
N--no.
QUEX.
No?
SOPHY.
[_With a gulp._] _I_ haven"t seen anything of her.
QUEX.
[_In an altered tone._] Really?
SOPHY.
No.
QUEX.
[_Calmly._] Strange.
[_He walks away and joins_ FRAYNE. SOPHY _stealthily closes and fastens the window._
QUEX.
[_In a low voice, to_ FRAYNE.] Chick--
FRAYNE.
Eh?
QUEX.
Miss Eden _is_ here. Why is the Fullgarney telling me this falsehood?
FRAYNE.
You will remember I was positive she would sell you before she"d done with you.
QUEX.
[_Gripping_ FRAYNE"S _arm._] Don"t! [_Advancing to_ SOPHY--_politely._]
I understood from my aunt, Miss Fullgarney, that her ladyship left Miss Eden at Gressier"s, the jeweller"s, less than half an hour ago.