Sudley. My dear madam, I take myself seriously—and madam, I—I retract what I have brought with me [Feeling in his waistcoat pocket.] as a graceful gift,—an Egyptian scarab—a—a—sacred beetle, which once ornamented the person of a—eh—mummy.
Cynthia. [Scoring in return.] It should never be absent from your pocket, Mr. Sudley! [Sudley walks away in a rage.
Miss Heneage. [Rising, to Sudley.] I've a vast mind to withdraw my— [Cynthia moves.
Cynthia. [Interrupts; maliciously.] Your wedding present? The little bronze cat!
Miss Heneage. [Moves, angrily.] Oh! [Even Mrs. Phillimore comes momentarily to life, and expresses silent indignation.
Sudley. [Loftily.] Sarah, I'm going.
Grace, who has met Philip, takes occasion to accompany him into the room. Philip looks dusty and grim. As they come in, Grace speaks to him, and Philip shakes his head. They pause near the door.
Cynthia. [Emotionally.] I shall go to my room! However, all I ask is that you repeat to Philip— [As she moves toward the door, she comes suddenly upon Philip, and speaks to him in a low voice.
Sudley. [To Miss Heneage, determined to win.] As I go out, I shall do myself the pleasure of calling a hansom for Mrs. Karslake— [Philip moves slightly from the door.
Philip. As you go out, Sudley, have a hansom called, and when it comes, get into it.