The Countess of Gules.
Mrs Plumper.
Charles.
Scene I.—A railway carriage. The Earl and Countess of Gules—Lady Elaine Bendore—The Hon. Adolphus Gresham.
Elaine. I must really beg of you to stop, Mr Gresham. You cannot think how you pain and surprise me. I am sure I never had the least idea! Besides, supposing papa or mamma should hear you.
Adolphus. Lord Gules is asleep, and her ladyship is absorbed in her novel; besides,
you may be sure that I have taken care to ascertain their sentiments before I venture to say what I have to you. Oh, Elaine, if I could but hope!
Train stops. Guard [looking in]. All the smoking-carriages are engaged, gentlemen; but you’ll find room in here.
[Enter Adolphus Plumper and Mr Flamm. Flamm seats himself opposite Elaine, and Plumper opposite Adolphus.
Flamm [aside to Plumper]. By Jove, Plumper! you never told me you had a twin brother. Polish up your spectacles, old man—you’ve made ’em damp by that race we had to catch the train—and look at your vis-à-vis.