THE COUNT. I am almost sorry you didnt give the gentleman his full terms. I should not have grudged the fifty guineas for a sound opinion. He may feel shabbily treated. SAVOYARD. Well, let him. It was a bit of side, his asking fifty. After all, what is he? Only a pressman. Jolly good business for him to earn ten guineas: hes done the same job often enough for half a quid, I expect. _Fanny O'Dowda comes precipitately through the curtains, excited and nervous. A girl of nineteen in a dress synchronous with her father's._ FANNY. Papa, papa, the critics have come. And one of them has a cocked hat and sword like a-- [she notices Savoyard] Oh, I beg your pardon. THE COUNT. This is Mr Savoyard, your impresario, my dear. FANNY. [shaking hands] How do you do? SAVOYARD. Pleased to meet you, Miss O'Dowda. The cocked hat is all right. Trotter is a member of the new Academic Committee. He induced them to go in for a uniform like the French Academy; and I asked him to wear it. THE FOOTMAN. [announcing] Mr Trotter, Mr Vaughan, Mr Gunn, Mr Flawner Bannal. [The four critics enter. Trotter wears a diplomatic dress, with sword and three-cornered hat. His age is about 50. Vaughan is 40. Gunn is 30. Flawner Bannal is 20 and is quite unlike the others. They can be classed at sight as professional men: Bannal is obviously one of those unemployables of the business class who manage to pick up a living by a sort of courage which gives him cheerfulness, conviviality, and bounce, and is helped out positively by a slight turn for writing, and negatively by a comfortable ignorance and lack of intuition which hides from him all the dangers and disgraces that keep men of finer perception in check. The Count approaches them hospitably]. SAVOYARD. Count O'Dowda, gentlemen. Mr Trotter. TROTTER. [looking at the Count's costume] Have I the pleasure of meeting a confrere? THE COUNT. No, sir: I have no right to my costume except the right of a lover of the arts to dress myself handsomely. You are most welcome, Mr Trotter. [Trotter bows in the French manner]. SAVOYARD. Mr Vaughan. THE COUNT. How do you do, Mr Vaughan? VAUGHAN. Quite well, thanks. SAVOYARD. Mr Gunn. THE COUNT. Delighted to make your acquaintance, Mr Gunn. GUNN. Very pleased. SAVOYARD. Mr Flawner Bannal. THE COUNT. Very kind of you to come, Mr Bannal. BANNAL. Dont mention it. THE COUNT. Gentlemen, my daughter. [They all bow]. We are very greatly indebted to you, gentlemen, for so kindly indulging her whim. [The dressing bell sounds. The Count looks at his watch]. Ah! The dressing bell, gentlemen. As our play begins at nine, I have had to put forward the dinner hour a little. May I shew you to your rooms? [He goes out, followed by all the men, except Trotter, who, going last, is detained by Fanny]. FANNY. Mr Trotter: I want to say something to you about this play. TROTTER. No: thats forbidden. You must not attempt to _souffler_ the critic.