Lady C. After what has occurred, perhaps—
Contareen. (pleading) I've only asked you once, you know—
Lady C. (emphatically) But I do most earnestly beg you to believe that my decision is final, and irrevocable.
Contareen. (humbly, rise) I don't think I made it quite clear to you to what extent I ad—
(Mollentrave coughs loudly from the inner room.)
Contareen. (quickly) To what extent I ad—ad—advocate! Funny, isn't it! (up stage C. a step) Besides, we're too old, and that sort of thing—
Lady C. (puzzled) I beg your pardon—
Contareen. (top of table C.) Oh, nothing, nothing—a joke that's all—mere persiflage! What I wanted to say was—to break it—h'm delicately—that I was going away too—to Lady Pentruddock's, you know—
Lady C. Indeed? I hope you will have a most pleasant time.
Contareen. Thanks—sure to, sure to! Seems that her sister's there—Muriel, you know, not Gladys. Fine woman, Muriel.