Lyre and Lancet: A Story in Scenes

BY F. ANSTEY AUTHOR OF VICE VERSÂ, THE GIANT'S ROBE, VOCES POPULI, ETC.
LONDON: SMITH, ELDER & CO., 15, WATERLOO PLACE. 1895. ( All rights reserved. )
Reprinted from Punch by permission of the Proprietors.
CHARACTERS
LYRE AND LANCET A STORY IN SCENES
In Sir Rupert Culverin's Study at Wyvern Court. It is a rainy Saturday morning in February. Sir Rupert is at his writing-table, as Lady Culverin enters with a deprecatory air .
Lady Culverin. So here you are, Rupert! Not very busy, are you? I won't keep you a moment. ( She goes to a window. ) Such a nuisance it's turning out wet, with all these people in the house, isn't it?
Sir Rupert. Well, I was thinking that, as there's nothing doing out of doors, I might get a chance to knock off some of these confounded accounts, but—( resignedly )—if you think I ought to go and look after——
Lady Culverin. No, no; the men are playing billiards, and the women are in the morning-room— they 're all right. I only wanted to ask you about to-night. You know the Lullingtons, and the dear Bishop and Mrs. Rodney, and one or two other people are coming to dinner? Well, who ought to take in Rohesia?
Sir Rupert ( in dismay ). Rohesia! No idea she was coming down this week!
Lady Culverin. Yes, by the 4.45. With dear Maisie. Surely you knew that?
Sir Rupert. In a sort of way; didn't realize it was so near, that's all.