_A_ SERVANT _enters._
SERVANT.
Mr. Drummle, ma"am.
CAYLEY DRUMMLE, _in riding dress, enters briskly._
_The_ SERVANT _retires._
PAULA.
[_Recovering herself._] Well, Cayley!
DRUMMLE.
[_Shaking hands with her cordially._] How are you? [_Shaking hands with_ ELLEAN, _who rises._] I saw you in the distance an hour ago, in the gorse near Stapleton"s.
ELLEAN.
I didn"t see you, Mr. Drummle.
DRUMMLE.
My dear Ellean, it is my experience that no charming young lady of nineteen ever does see a man of forty-five. [_Laughing._] Ha, Ha!
ELLEAN.
[_Going to the door._] Paula, papa wishes me to drive down to the village with you this morning. Do you care to take me?
PAULA.
[_Coldly._] Oh, by all means. Pray tell Watts to balance the cart for three.
[ELLEAN _goes out._
DRUMMLE.
How"s Aubrey?
PAULA.
Very well--when Ellean"s about the house.
DRUMMLE.
And you? I needn"t ask.
PAULA.
[_Walking away to the window._] Oh, a dog"s life, my dear Cayley, mine.
DRUMMLE.
Eh?
PAULA.
Doesn"t that define a happy marriage? I"m sleek, well-kept, well-fed, never without a bone to gnaw and fresh straw to lie upon.
[_Gazing out of the window._] Oh, dear me!
DRUMMLE.
H"m! Well, I heartily congratulate you on your kennel. The view from the terrace here is superb.
PAULA.
Yes, I can see London.
DRUMMLE.
London! Not quite so far, surely?
PAULA.
_I_ can. Also the Mediterranean, on a fine day. I wonder what Algiers looks like this morning from the sea! [_Impulsively._] Oh, Cayley, do you remember those jolly times on board Peter Jarman"s yacht when we lay off----? [_Stopping suddenly, seeing_ DRUMMLE _staring at her._] Good gracious! What are we talking about!
AUBREY _enters._
AUBREY.
[_To Drummle._] Dear old chap! Has Paula asked you?
PAULA.
Not yet.
AUBREY.
We want you to come to us, now that you"re leaving Mrs.
Cortelyon--at once, to-day. Stay a month, as long as you please--eh, Paula?
PAULA.
As long as you can possibly endure it--do, Cayley.
DRUMMLE.
[_Looking at Aubrey._] Delighted. [_To Paula._] Charming of you to have me.