Oh--yes, I thought it would interest Charlie to know how extremely needful it was for you to marry him. LADY FREDERICK. Then who on earth has got them? FOULDES. I haven't an idea, but they must make you very uncomfortable. Three thousand five hundred, eh? LADY FREDERICK. Don't say it all at once. It sounds so much. FOULDES. You wouldn't like to exchange those letters of Mereston's for seven thousand pounds, would you? LADY FREDERICK. [_Laughing._] No. FOULDES. Ah.... By the way, d'you mind if I tell Charlie the full story of your--relations with me? LADY FREDERICK. Why should I? It's not I who'll look ridiculous. FOULDES. Thanks. I may avail myself of your permission. LADY FREDERICK. I daresay you've noticed that Charlie has a very keen sense of humour. FOULDES. If you're going to be disagreeable to me I shall go. [_He stops._] I say, are you quite sure there's nothing else that can be brought up against you? LADY FREDERICK. [_Laughing._] Quite sure, thanks. FOULDES. My sister's very jubilant to-day. What about the Bellingham affair? LADY FREDERICK. Merely scandal, my friend. FOULDES. Well, look out. She's a woman, and she'll stick at nothing. LADY FREDERICK. I wonder why you warn me. FOULDES. For the sake of old times, my dear. LADY FREDERICK. You're growing sentimental, Paradine. It's the punishment which the gods inflict on a cynic when he grows old. FOULDES. It may be, but for the life of me I can't forget that once---- LADY FREDERICK. [_Interrupting._] My dear friend, don't rake up my lamentable past. FOULDES. I don't think I've met any one so entirely devoid of sentiment as you are. LADY FREDERICK. Let us agree that I have every vice under the sun and have done with it. [_A_ SERVANT _comes in_.] SERVANT. Madame Claude wishes to see your ladyship. LADY FREDERICK. Oh, my dressmaker. FOULDES. Another bill? LADY FREDERICK. That's the worst of Monte. One meets as many creditors as in Bond Street. Say I'm engaged. SERVANT. Madame Claude says she will wait till miladi is free. FOULDES. You make a mistake. One should always be polite to people whose bills one can't pay. LADY FREDERICK. Show her in. SERVANT. Yes, miladi. [_Exit_ SERVANT. FOULDES. Is it a big one? LADY FREDERICK. Oh, no; only seven hundred pounds. FOULDES. By Jove. LADY FREDERICK. My dear friend, one must dress. I can't go about in fig-leaves. FOULDES. One can dress simply. LADY FREDERICK. I do. That's why it costs so much. FOULDES. You know, you're devilish extravagant. LADY FREDERICK. I'm not. I'm content with the barest necessities of existence. FOULDES. You've got a maid. LADY FREDERICK. Of course I've got a maid. I was never taught to dress myself. FOULDES. And you've got a footman. LADY FREDERICK. I've always had a footman. And my mother always had a footman. I couldn't live a day without him. FOULDES. What does he do for you? LADY FREDERICK.