Mrs. de Trappe. You seem absent-minded, my dear Edith. [Pause.] I must be going now. Where are Arthur and James? We have not a moment to lose. We are going to choose wedding presents. James is going to choose Arthur's and Arthur is going to choose James's, so there can be no jealousy. It was I who thought of that way out of the difficulty. One does one's best to be nice to them, and then something happens and upsets all one's plans. Where is Cyril?
Lady Dol. I am afraid Cyril is not at home.
Mrs. de Trappe. Then I shall not see him. Tell him I am angry, and give my love to Julia. I hope she does not disturb you when you are in the drawing-room and have visitors. So difficult to keep a grown-up girl out of the drawing-room. Where can those men be? [Enter Lord Doldrummond, Mr. Featherleigh, and Mr. Banish.] Ah! here they are. Now, come along; we haven't a moment to lose. Good-bye, Edith.
[Exeunt (after wishing their adieux) Mrs. de Trappe, Mr. Featherleigh, and Mr. Banish, Lord Doldrummond following them.]
Lady Dol. [Stands alone in the middle of the room, repeating.] Cyril and—Sarah Sparrow! My son and Sarah Sparrow! And he has met her through the one woman for whom I have been wrong enough to forget my prejudices. What a punishment!
[Julia enters cautiously. She is so unusually beautiful that she barely escapes the terrible charge of sublimity. But there is a certain peevishness in her expression which adds a comfortable smack of human nature to her classic features.]
Julia. I thought mamma would never go. I have been hiding in your boudoir ever since I heard she was here.
Lady Dol. Was Cyril with you?
Julia. Oh, no; he has gone out for a walk.
Lady Dol. Tell me, dearest, have you and Cyril had any disagreement lately? Is there any misunderstanding?