LADY P. What's that, my dear? MAR. Get up on a cold morning. Ah! you should only see _him_ try! LADY P. Your gaiety of heart, my dear Margaret---- MAR. Margery, call me Margery--it sounds more comfortable. LADY P. My dear Margery---- MAR. That's it! LADY P. And animal spirits, are proof against all temperatures. MAR. Lord! how fine you do talk! you'll be just the thing for my husband--I wonder whether I shall like yours. He seems a funny old fellow, and so grand too, and so upright, and his hair all so nicely floured over. What did you love him for? LADY P. To gratify the wishes of my parents; the position that my union insured flattered and pleased me, while it removed the troubles of my family. I am grateful, very grateful, for his lordship's preference, I confess--but--there's---- MAR. Somebody else you like better. Well, never mind, dear, you'll love the old one very well by and by. _CAPTAIN BLENHEIM appears at the back--comes down, L.H._ BLEN. I am pretty punctual you see, Lady Evergreen. Is it possible? Mary! LADY P. Augustus! MAR. What, do _you_ know one another too? Why, he's my husband's old schoolfellow, and we've asked him to come and pick a bit with us to-day. Now this is what I like--old friends all meeting together again. Oh! won't we have a merry evening! BLEN. I never thought to see you more. LADY P. This meeting will be most embarrassing! I am here, with my husband, and---- BLEN. You would wish me to retire. MAR. I can understand--that is the one you like better, is it? Well, never mind, dear, don't be afraid of your husband meeting him--they won't fight, will they? and if they do, what o' that? People that fight are often the best friends in the world when it's all over. BLEN. If you _request_ me to leave the house, I can only obey. MAR. No, no, you mustn't go--take him to your husband and say right out, "My dear, this is my old sweetheart, and you must not be jealous, and though I did like him once, what o' that? I'm your wife now, and he can only be a friend, and there's no harm in a friend coming to see me." Be upright and downright, my dear--it's the best way--for where there's nothing concealed nothing can pop out. LADY P. There are positions that exact great discretion from us--that absolutely render concealment a necessity, if only to avoid those explanations and confessions that _must_ lead to mortification, if not to unhappiness. BLEN. May I not exchange one word with you? LADY P. If you will then immediately leave me, defer your visit here till another day, and not expose me to an embarrassment that will be most painful. Where's my lord? MAR. I don't know, aunt--he's somewhere about. LADY P. In the house? MAR. I think so--talking over the state of the nation with my husband. LADY P. I must seek him instantly. (_to BLENHEIM_) Pray do not follow me. (_to MARGERY_) Say nothing of this meeting, I beg. BLEN. Listen to me but for one moment, and I will do all that you desire.