LORD CAVERSHAM. [_Indignantly_.] If you listen attentively! . . . Conceited young puppy! [_Goes off grumbling into the smoking-room_. PHIPPS _enters_.] LORD GORING. Phipps, there is a lady coming to see me this evening on particular business. Show her into the drawing-room when she arrives. You understand? PHIPPS. Yes, my lord. LORD GORING. It is a matter of the gravest importance, Phipps. PHIPPS. I understand, my lord. LORD GORING. No one else is to be admitted, under any circumstances. PHIPPS. I understand, my lord. [_Bell rings_.] LORD GORING. Ah! that is probably the lady. I shall see her myself. [_Just as he is going towards the door_ LORD CAVERSHAM _enters from the smoking-room_.] LORD CAVERSHAM. Well, sir? am I to wait attendance on you? LORD GORING. [_Considerably perplexed_.] In a moment, father. Do excuse me. [LORD CAVERSHAM _goes back_.] Well, remember my instructions, Phipps—into that room. PHIPPS. Yes, my lord. [LORD GORING _goes into the smoking-room_. HAROLD, _the footman shows_ MRS. CHEVELEY _in_. _Lamia-like_, _she is in green and silver_. _She has a cloak of black satin_, _lined with dead rose-leaf silk_.] HAROLD. What name, madam? MRS. CHEVELEY. [_To_ PHIPPS, _who advances towards her_.] Is Lord Goring not here? I was told he was at home? PHIPPS. His lordship is engaged at present with Lord Caversham, madam. [_Turns a cold_, _glassy eye on_ HAROLD, _who at once retires_.] MRS. CHEVELEY. [_To herself_.] How very filial! PHIPPS. His lordship told me to ask you, madam, to be kind enough to wait in the drawing-room for him. His lordship will come to you there. MRS. CHEVELEY. [_With a look of surprise_.] Lord Goring expects me? PHIPPS. Yes, madam. MRS. CHEVELEY. Are you quite sure? PHIPPS. His lordship told me that if a lady called I was to ask her to wait in the drawing-room. [_Goes to the door of the drawing-room and opens it_.] His lordship’s directions on the subject were very precise. MRS. CHEVELEY. [_To herself_] How thoughtful of him! To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect. [_Goes towards the drawing-room and looks in_.] Ugh! How dreary a bachelor’s drawing-room always looks. I shall have to alter all this. [PHIPPS _brings the lamp from the writing-table_.] No, I don’t care for that lamp. It is far too glaring. Light some candles. PHIPPS. [_Replaces lamp_.] Certainly, madam. MRS. CHEVELEY. I hope the candles have very becoming shades. PHIPPS. We have had no complaints about them, madam, as yet. [_Passes into the drawing-room and begins to light the candles_.]