Mrs. de Trappe. [After a slight pause.] How odd that it should never have struck me in that light before! I have always thought of Arthur as the trustee, as it were, of my poor fatherless Julia [To Banish.] Have I not often said so, James?
Banish. [Dryly.] Often. In fact I have always thought that Julia would never lack a father whilst Arthur was alive. But I admit that he is a little young for the responsibility.
Feather. [Unmoved.] Do not forget, Violet, that our train leaves in fifty-five minutes.
Lord Dol. [Catching a desperate glance from Lady Doldrummond.] Then I shall have time to show you the Russian poodles which the Duke of Camdem brought me from Japan.
Mrs. de Trappe. [Peevishly.] Yes, please take them away. [Waving her hand in the direction of Banish and Featherleigh.] Edith and I have many secrets to discuss. Of course she will tell you [to Lord Dol.] everything I have said when we are gone, and I shall tell Arthur and James all she has said as we go home. But it is so amusing to think ourselves mysterious for twenty minutes. [As the men go out laughing, she turns to Lady Doldrummond with a sigh.] Ah, Edith, when I pause in all these gaieties and say to myself, Violet, you are about to marry a second husband, I cannot feel sufficiently thankful that it is not the third.
Lady Dol. The third?
Mrs. de Trappe. To face the possibility of a third honeymoon, a third disappointment, and a third funeral would tax my courage to the utmost! And I am not strong.
Lady Dol. I am shocked to see you so despondent. Surely you anticipate every happiness with Mr. Banish?
Mrs. de Trappe. Oh, yes. He has money, and Arthur thinks him a very worthy sort of person. He is a little dull, but then middle-class people are always so gross in their air when they attempt to be lively or amusing; so long as they are grave I can bear them well enough, but I know of nothing so unpleasant as the sight of a banker laughing. As Arthur says, City men and butlers should always be serious.
Lady Dol. Do you think that the world will quite understand—Arthur?