_Captain Thicknesse_ (_to himself, as he watches_ Lady MAISIE). She is lookin' prettier than ever! Forgotten me. Used to be friendly enough once, though, till her mother warned me off. Seems to have a good deal to say to that poet fellow; saw her colour up from here the moment he came near; he's _begun_ Petrarchin', hang him! I'd cross over and speak to her if I could catch her eye. Don't know, though; what's the use? She wouldn't thank me for interruptin'. She likes these clever chaps; don't signify to her if they _are_ bounders, I suppose. _I_'m not intellectual. Gad, I wish I'd gone back to Aldershot! _Lady Cantire_ (_by the tea-table_). Why don't you make that woman of yours send you up decent cakes, my dear? These are cinders. I'm afraid you let her have too much of her own way. Now, tell me--who are your party? Vivien Spelwane! Never have that girl to meet me again, I can't _endure_ her; and that affected little ape of a Mr. Pilliner--h'm! Do I see Captain Thicknesse? Now, I don't object to _him_. Maisie and he used to be great friends.... Ah, how do you _do_, Captain Thicknesse? Quite pleasant finding you here; such ages since we saw anything of you! Why haven't you been near us all this time?... Oh, I may have been out once or twice when you called; but you might have tried again, _mightn't_ you? There, _I_ forgive you; you had better go and see if you can make your peace with Maisie! _Captain Thicknesse_ (_to himself, as he obeys_). Doosid odd, Lady Cantire comin' round like this. Wish she'd thought of it before. _Lady Cantire_ (_in a whisper_). He's always been such a favourite of mine. They tell me his uncle, poor dear Lord Dunderhead, is _so_ ill--felt the loss of his only son so terribly. Of course it will make a great difference--in many ways. _Captain Thicknesse_ (_constrainedly to_ Lady MAISIE). How do you do? Afraid you've forgotten me. _Lady Maisie._ Oh no, indeed! (_Hurriedly._) You--you don't know Mr. Spurrell, I think? (_Introducing them._) Captain Thicknesse. _Captain Thicknesse._ How are you? Been hearin' a lot about you lately. _Andromeda_, don't you know; and that kind of thing. _Spurrell._ It's wonderful what a hit she seems to have made--not that I'm _surprised_ at it, either; I always knew---- _Lady Maisie_ (_hastily_). Oh, Mr. Spurrell, you haven't had any tea! _Do_ go and get some before it's taken away. [SPURRELL _goes_. _Captain Thicknesse._ Been tryin' to get you to notice me ever since you came; but you were so awfully absorbed, you know! _Lady Maisie._ Was I? So absorbed as all that! What with? _Captain Thicknesse._ Well, it looked like it--with talkin' to your poetical friend. _Lady Maisie_ (_flushing_). He is not _my_ friend in particular; I--I admire his poetry, of course.