Dumby. Hope to goodness she won’t speak to me! [Saunters towards Lady Plymdale.]
Mrs. Erlynne. [C. To Lady Jedburgh.] On Thursday? With great pleasure. [Rises, and speaks to Lord Windermere, laughing.] What a bore it is to have to be civil to these old dowagers! But they always insist on it!
Lady Plymdale. [To Mr. Dumby.] Who is that well-dressed woman talking to Windermere?
Dumby. Haven’t got the slightest idea! Looks like an édition de luxe of a wicked French novel, meant specially for the English market.
Mrs. Erlynne. So that is poor Dumby with Lady Plymdale? I hear she is frightfully jealous of him. He doesn’t seem anxious to speak to me to-night. I suppose he is afraid of her. Those straw-coloured women have dreadful tempers. Do you know, I think I’ll dance with you first, Windermere. [Lord Windermere bites his lip and frowns.] It will make Lord Augustus so jealous! Lord Augustus! [Lord Augustus comes down.] Lord Windermere insists on my dancing with him first, and, as it’s his own house, I can’t well refuse. You know I would much sooner dance with you.
Lord Augustus. [With a low bow.] I wish I could think so, Mrs. Erlynne.
Mrs. Erlynne. You know it far too well. I can fancy a person dancing through life with you and finding it charming.
Lord Augustus. [Placing his hand on his white waistcoat.] Oh, thank you, thank you. You are the most adorable of all ladies!
Mrs. Erlynne. What a nice speech! So simple and so sincere! Just the sort of speech I like. Well, you shall hold my bouquet. [Goes towards ball-room on Lord Windermere’s arm.] Ah, Mr. Dumby, how are you? I am so sorry I have been out the last three times you have called. Come and lunch on Friday.
Dumby. [With perfect nonchalance.] Delighted!