_Undershell_ (_almost foaming_). The insolence of these cursed aristocrats! Lady Culverin will see me when she has time, forsooth! I am to be entertained in the servants' hall! _This_ is how our upper classes honour Poetry! I won't stay a single hour under their infernal roof. I'll walk. But where _to_? And how about my luggage? [PHILLIPSON _returns_. _Phillipson._ Mr. Tredwell says you want to go already! It _can't_ be true! Without even waiting for supper? _Undershell_ (_gloomily_). Why should I wait for supper in this house? _Phillipson._ Well, _I_ shall be there; I don't know if _that's_ any inducement. [_She looks down._ _Undershell_ (_to himself_). She is a singularly bewitching creature; and I'm starving. Why _shouldn't_ I stay--if only to shame these Culverins? It will be an experience--a study in life. I can always go afterwards. I _will_ stay. (_Aloud._) You little know the sacrifice you ask of me, but enough; I give way. We shall meet--(_with a gulp_)--in the housekeeper's room! _Phillipson_ (_highly amused_). You _are_ a comical little man. You'll be the death of me if you go on like that! [_She flits away._ _Undershell_ (_alone_). I feel disposed to be the death of _somebody_! Oh, Lady Maisie Mull, to what a bathos have you lured your poet by your artless flattery--a banquet presided over by your aunt's butler! PART VII IGNOTUM PRO MIRIFICO _The Amber Boudoir at Wyvern immediately after_ Lady CANTIRE _and her daughter have entered_. _Lady Cantire_ (_in reply to_ Lady CULVERIN). Tea? oh yes, my dear; anything _warm_! I'm positively perished--that tedious cold journey and the long drive afterwards! I always tell Rupert he would see me _far_ oftener at Wyvern if he would only get the company to bring the line round close to the park gates, but it has _no_ effect upon him! (_As_ TREDWELL _announces_ SPURRELL, _who enters in trepidation_.) Mr. James Spurrell! Who's Mr.----? Oh, to be sure; _that's_ the name of my interesting young poet--_Andromeda_, you know, my dear! Go and be pleasant to him, Albinia, he wants reassuring. _Lady Culverin_ (_a trifle nervous_). How do you do, Mr.--ah--Spurrell? (_To herself._) I _said_ he ended in "ell"! (_Aloud._) So pleased to see you! We think so much of your _Andromeda_ here, you know. Quite delightful of you to find time to run down! _Spurrell_ (_to himself_). Why, _she's_ chummy, too! Old Drummy pulls me through everything! (_Aloud._) Don't name it, my la--hum--Lady Culverin. No trouble at all; only too proud to get your summons! _Lady Culverin_ (_to herself_). He doesn't seem very revolutionary! (_Aloud._) That's so sweet of you; when so many must be absolutely fighting to get you! _Spurrell._ Oh, as for that, there _is_ rather a run on me just now, but I put everything else aside for _you_, of course!