The curtain rises on Margaret’s drawing-room. It is prettily furnished in a gentle, white-walled, water-colour-in-gold-frame fashion, and is full of flowers. In one corner is a parrot in a cage, and near it Miss Fairfield’s arm-chair and foot-stool and work-table. The fire-place has a white sheepskin in front of it, and brass fire-irons: on the mantel-piece is a gilt clock and many photographs. At right angles to the fire a low empire couch runs out into the room. There is a hint of Sydney in the ultra-modern cushionry with which it is piled. As the curtain goes up Bassett is showing in Gray Meredith.
Bassett. They’re still at lunch, Sir.
Gray. [Glancing at the clock] They’re late.
Bassett. It’s the visitor, Sir. He’s kept them talking.
Gray. Visitor?
Bassett. Yes, Sir, a strange gentleman. Will you take coffee, Sir?
Gray. I may as well go in and have it with them.
Bassett. The mistress said, would you not, Sir. She’d come to you.
Gray. [A little surprised] Oh, very well.
Bassett. I’ll tell Miss Sydney you’ve come, Sir.