The Gay Lord Quex: A Comedy in Four Acts

by Arthur Wing Pinero

Sophy.

[Quietly.] Mistaken, am I?

Muriel.

[With clenched hands.] The Duchess of Strood is a most immaculate woman. [Suddenly.] Oh, it would be too infamous!

[The Duchess and Frayne, followed by Mrs. Eden, reappear behind the low hedge. Sophy retreats to the back of the bench upon which Muriel is sitting. The Duchess and Frayne approach, talking, while Mrs. Eden chats to Sophy across the hedge.

Frayne.

[To the Duchess, gallantly.] I am flattered by your remembrance of me, Duchess. When we last met I had hardly a grey hair in my head. [Running his hand through his hair.] Ha! The West Coast—!

Duchess.

Is the climate so terrible?

Frayne.