_The top of the Grand Staircase_. LORD _and_ LADY WALPURGE _receiving their guests. The greatest taste is shown in the decorations, which are lent for the occasion of the play free of charge, owing to the deserved popularity of Mr. George Alexander. Furniture supplied by Waring, selected by Mr. Percy Macquoid; Old Masters by Agnew & Son, P. & D. Colnaghi, Dowdeswell & Dowdeswell; Wigs by Clarkson. A large, full-length Reynolds, seen above the well of staircase_; R. _a Gainsborough_, L. _a Hoppner. The party is not very smart, rather intellectual and plutocratic; well-known musicians and artists in group_ R., _and second-rate literary people_ L. _An Irish peer and a member of the White Rose League are the only 'Society' present. There are no actors or actresses_. FAUST, _who has aged considerably since the Prologue, is an obvious failure, and is seen talking to a lady journalist_. MEPHISTOPHELES, _disguised as a Protectionist Member of Parliament, is in earnest conversation with_ LORD WALPURGE. FOOTMAN _announcing the guests: The Bishop of Hereford, Mr. Maldonado, Mr. Andrew Undershaft, Mr. Harold Hodge, Mrs. Gorringe, Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Tanqueray, &c_. LADY WALPURGE (_archly_). Ah, Mr. Tanqueray, you never forwarded me my photographs; it is nearly three weeks ago since I sent you a cheque for them. TANQUERAY. Labby has been poisoning your mind against me. You shall have a proof to-morrow! FOOTMAN. Mr. Gillow Waring. LADY WALPURGE. I was so afraid you were not coming. My husband thought you would give us the slip. WARING. How charming your decorations are! You must give me some ideas for my new yacht, you have such perfect taste. MALDONADO. Walpurge! what will you take for that Reynolds? Or will you swap it for my Velasquez? WALPURGE. My dear Maldo, I always do my deals through-- FOOTMAN. Mr. Walter Dowdeswell. WALPURGE. Through Dowdeswell and Dowdeswell; and you, my dear Maldo, if you want to get rid of your Velasquez, ought to join the National Art Collections Fund, or go and see-- FOOTMAN. Mr. Lockett Agnew. 'Er 'Ighness the Princess Swami. _Enter the_ PRINCESS SALOME. LADY JOURNALIST. Fancy having that woman here. She is not recognised in any decent society, she is nothing but an adventuress; talks such bad French, too. Have you ever seen her, Doctor Faustus? FAUST. Yes, I have met her very often in Germany. Though the Emperor would not receive her at first, she is much admired in Europe. LADY JOURNALIST (_hedging_). I wonder where she gets her frocks? They must be worth a good deal. FAUST. From Ricketts and Shannon, if you want to know. LADY JOURNALIST. Dear Doctor, you know everything! Let me see: Ricketts and Shannon is that new place in Regent Street, rather like Lewis and Allenby's, I suppose? FAUST. Yes, only different. IRISH PEER (_to_ FAUST). Do you think Lady Walpurge will ever get into Society? FAUST. Not if she gives her guests such wretched coffee.