[_Goes out._
[_WYKE hands letters to AGATHA POSKET, who takes two, then to MR.
POSKET, who takes one._
AGATHA POSKET.
This is for you, Charley--already.
[_WYKE goes out._
CHARLOTTE.
Spare my blushes, dear--it"s from Horace, Captain Vale. The dear wretch knew I was coming to you. Heigho! Will you excuse me?
MR. POSKET.
Certainly.
AGATHA POSKET.
Excuse me, please?
CHARLOTTE.
Certainly, my dear.
MR. POSKET.
Certainly, my darling. Excuse me, won"t you?
CHARLOTTE.
Oh, certainly.
AGATHA POSKET.
Certainly, aeneas.
[_Simultaneously they all open their letters, and lean back and read._
AGATHA POSKET.
[_Reading._] Lady Jenkins is not feeling very well.
CHARLOTTE.
If Captain Horace Vale stood before me at this moment, I"d slap his face!
AGATHA POSKET.
Charlotte!
CHARLOTTE.
[_Reading._] "Dear Miss Verrinder,--Your desperate flirtation with Major Bristow at the Meet on Tuesday last, three days after our engagement, has just come to my knowledge. Your letters and gifts, including the gold-headed hair-pin given me at the Hunt Ball, shall be returned to-morrow. By Jove, all is over! Horace Vale." Oh, dear!
AGATHA POSKET.
Oh, Charley, I"m so sorry! However, you can deny it.
CHARLOTTE.
[_Weeping._] That"s the worst of it, I can"t.
MR. POSKET.
[_To AGATHA POSKET._] My darling, you will be delighted. A note from Colonel Lukyn.
AGATHA POSKET.
Lukyn--Lukyn? I seem to know the name.
MR. POSKET.
An old schoolfellow of mine who went to India many years ago. He has just come home. I met him at the club last night and asked him to name an evening to dine with us. He accepts for to-morrow.
AGATHA POSKET.
Lukyn, Lukyn?
MR. POSKET.
Listen. [_Reading._] "It will be especially delightful to me, as I believe I am an old friend of your wife and of her first husband. You may recall me to her recollection by reminding her that I am the Captain Lukyn who stood sponsor to her boy when he was christened at Baroda."
AGATHA POSKET.
[_Giving a loud scream._] Oh!
MR. POSKET.
My dear!
AGATHA POSKET.
I"ve twisted my foot.
MR. POSKET.
How _do_ nuts come into the drawing-room?