Elizabeth. Why? It’s not half-past one already, is it?
Arnold. I thought it would help. When you don’t know exactly what to say you can always eat.
[The Butler comes in and announces.
Butler. Lady Catherine Champion-Cheney! Lord Porteous!
[Lady Kitty comes in followed by Porteous, and the Butler goes out. Lady Kitty is a gay little lady, with dyed red hair and painted cheeks. She is somewhat outrageously dressed. She never forgets that she has been a pretty woman and she still behaves as if she were twenty-five. Lord Porteous is a very bald, elderly gentleman in loose, rather eccentric clothes. He is snappy and gruff. This is not at all the couple that Elizabeth expected, and for a moment she stares at them with round, startled eyes. Lady Kitty goes up to her with outstretched hands.
Lady Kitty. Elizabeth! Elizabeth! [She kisses her effusively.] What an adorable creature! [Turning to Porteous.] Hughie, isn’t she adorable?
Porteous. [With a grunt.] Ugh!
[Elizabeth, smiling now, turns to him and gives him her hand.
Elizabeth. How d’you do?
Porteous. Damnable road you’ve got down here. How d’you do, my dear? Why d’you have such damnable roads in England?