_Lady Maisie_ (_to herself_). I do trust Mr. Spurrell isn't saying something too dreadful. I'm sure I heard my name just now. (_Aloud, absently, to_ Captain THICKNESSE.) No, did you _really_? How amusing it must have been! _Captain Thicknesse_ (_aggrieved_). If you'd done me the honour of payin' any attention to what I was sayin', you'd have found out it _wasn't_ amusin'. _Lady Maisie_ (_starting_). Oh, _wasn't_ it? I'm so sorry I missed it. I--I'm afraid I was thinking of something else. Do tell me again! _Captain Thicknesse_, (_still hurt_). No, I won't inflict it on you--not worth repeatin'. And I should only be takin' off your attention from a fellow that _does_ know how to talk. _Lady Maisie_ (_with a guiltiness which she tries to carry off under dignity_). I don't think I understand what you mean. _Captain Thicknesse._ Well, I couldn't help hearin' what you said to your poet-friend before we went in about having to put up with partners; and it isn't what you may call flattering to a fellow's feelin's, being put up with. _Lady Maisie_ (_hotly_). It--it was not intended for you. You entirely misunderstood! _Captain Thicknesse._ Dare say I'm very dense; but, even to _my_ comprehension, it's plain enough that the reason why you weren't listenin' to me just now was that the poet had the luck to say somethin' that you found more interesting. _Lady Maisie._ You are _quite_ wrong--it's too absurd; I never even met Mr. Spurrell in my life till this afternoon. If you really _must_ know, I heard him mention my name, and--and I wondered, naturally, what he could possibly be saying. _Captain Thicknesse._ Somethin' very charmin', and poetical, and complimentary, I'm sure, and I'm makin' you lose it all. Apologise--shan't happen again. _Lady Maisie._ Please be sensible, and let us talk of something else. Are you staying here long? _Captain Thicknesse._ You will be gratified to hear I leave for Aldershot to-morrow. Meant to have gone to-day. Sorry I _didn't_ now. _Lady Maisie._ I think it was a thousand pities you didn't, as you seem to have stayed on purpose to be as stupid and unkind as you possibly can. [_She turns to her other neighbour_, Lord LULLINGTON. _Mrs. Chatteris_ (_to_ Captain THICKNESSE, _who is on her other side_). Oh, Captain Thicknesse, what _do_ you think Mr. Spurrell has just told me? You remember those lines to Lady Grisoline that Mr. Pilliner made such fun of this morning? Well, they were meant for Lady Maisie! They're quite old friends, it seems. _So_ romantic! Wouldn't you like to know how they came to meet? _Captain Thicknesse._ Can't say I'm particularly curious--no affair of mine, don't you know. (_To himself._) And she told me they'd never met before! Sooner I get back the better. Only in the way here. _Lady Maisie_ (_turning to him_). Well, are you as determined to be as disagreeable as ever? Oh yes, I see you are!