Why—gorgeous! You ought to read it—all about the Borgias.

Gioconda.

What are they? Oh, I see! I had enough
Up at the 'Varsity of that sort of stuff.
I say—oh, blast the thing, this pipe's a dud!

[She puts the pipe on the table.

Hilda.

You smoke too much. They say it slows the blood,
And that you simply can't afford.[Pause.

[Pause.

Gioconda.

I say—

Hilda.