Lady Stutfield. Oh! . . . yes. I see that. It is very, very helpful. Do you think, Mrs. Allonby, I shall ever meet the Ideal Man? Or are there more than one?
Mrs. Allonby. There are just four in London, Lady Stutfield.
Lady Hunstanton. Oh, my dear!
Mrs. Allonby. [Going over to her.] What has happened? Do tell me.
Lady Hunstanton [in a low voice] I had completely forgotten that the American young lady has been in the room all the time. I am afraid some of this clever talk may have shocked her a little.
Mrs. Allonby. Ah, that will do her so much good!
Lady Hunstanton. Let us hope she didn’t understand much. I think I had better go over and talk to her. [Rises and goes across to Hester Worsley.] Well, dear Miss Worsley. [Sitting down beside her.] How quiet you have been in your nice little corner all this time! I suppose you have been reading a book? There are so many books here in the library.
Hester. No, I have been listening to the conversation.
Lady Hunstanton. You mustn’t believe everything that was said, you know, dear.
Hester. I didn’t believe any of it.