Fouldes.
[Quickly.] I beg your pardon?
Lady Frederick.
Well, Mimi fell desperately ill, and there was no one to look after her. Of course the pious English ladies in the hotel wouldn't go within a mile of her, so I went and did the usual thing, don't you know.
[Lady Frederick's man comes in with a small
despatch-box which he places on a table. He
goes out. Lady Frederick as she talks,
unlocks it.
Fouldes.
Thank God I'm a bachelor, and no ministering angel ever smoothes my pillow when I particularly want to be left alone.
Lady Frederick.
I nursed her more or less through the whole illness, and afterwards she fancied she owed me her worthless little life. She wanted to give me the precious emeralds, and when I refused was so heart-broken that I said I'd take one thing if I might.
Fouldes.