Very well. But if my mother insists on saying things, she must say them in Lady Frederick's presence.

Lady Mereston.

That I'm quite willing to do.

Mereston.

Good.

[He rings the bell. A servant enters.

Fouldes.

You'd better take care, Maudie. Lady Frederick's a dangerous woman to play the fool with.

Mereston.

[To the servant.] Go to Lady Frederick Berolles and say Lord Mereston is extremely sorry to trouble her ladyship, but would be very much obliged if she'd come to the drawing-room for two minutes.