Mrs. de Trappe. A lovely tenor voice. All the women are in love with him, except me. I would not listen to him. And now they say he is going to marry Sarah Sparrow—a great mistake. I should like to know who would care about him or his singing, once he is married.
Lady Dol. And who is Sarah Sparrow?
Mrs. de Trappe. Don't you know? She is the last great success. She has two notes: B flat and the lower G—the orchestra plays the rest. You must go to the Parnassus and hear her. To-night is the dress rehearsal of the new piece.
Lady Dol. And do you receive Miss Sparrow?
Mrs. de Trappe. No, women take up too much time. They say, too, that she is frantically jealous because Mandeville used to come and practise in my boudoir. He says no one can accompany him as I do!
Lady Dol. I hope Cyril does not meet Mr. Mandeville when he goes to your house.
Mrs. de Trappe. Let me see. I believe I introduced them. At any rate, I know I saw them at luncheon together last week.
Lady Dol. At luncheon together! Cyril and this person who sings? What could my boy and Mr. Mandeville have in common?
Mrs. de Trappe. They both appear to admire Sarah Sparrow very much. And I cannot find what men see in her. She is not tall and her figure is most innocent; you would say she was still in pinafores. As for her prettiness, I admit she has fine eyes, but of course she blackens them. I think the great attraction is her atrocious temper. One never knows whom she will stab next.
Lady Dol. [Half to herself.] Last week Cyril came in after midnight. He refused to answer my questions.