Good shot, sir. LADY FREDERICK. I often wonder how you got your reputation for wit, Paradine. FOULDES. By making a point of laughing heartily at other people's jokes. [_The_ FOOTMAN _enters with the despatch-box, which_ LADY FREDERICK _opens. She takes a bundle of letters from it._ FOULDES. Betsy, Betsy, for heaven's sake don't! Have mercy. LADY FREDERICK. Was mercy shown to me? Albert! FOOTMAN. Yes, miladi. LADY FREDERICK. You'll go to the proprietor of the hotel and tell him that I propose to leave Monte Carlo to-morrow. MERESTON. [_Aghast._] Are you going? FOOTMAN. Very well, my lady. LADY FREDERICK. Have you a good memory for faces? FOOTMAN. Yes, my lady. LADY FREDERICK. You're not likely to forget Lord Mereston? FOOTMAN. No, my lady. LADY FREDERICK. Then please take note that if his lordship calls upon me in London I'm not at home. MERESTON. Lady Frederick! LADY FREDERICK. [_To_ FOOTMAN.] Go. [_Exit_ FOOTMAN. MERESTON. What d'you mean? What have I done? [_Without answering_ LADY FREDERICK _takes the letters_. PARADINE _is watching her anxiously. She goes up to the stove and throws them in one by one._ LADY MERESTON. What on earth is she doing? LADY FREDERICK. I have some letters here which would ruin the happiness of a very worthless woman I know. I'm burning them so that I may never have the temptation to use them. FOULDES. I never saw anything so melodramatic. LADY FREDERICK. Hold your tongue, Paradine. [_Turning to_ MERESTON.] My dear Charlie, I came to Monte Carlo to be amused. Your mother has persecuted me incessantly. Your uncle--is too well-bred to talk to his servants as he has talked to me. I've been pestered in one way and another, and insulted till my blood boiled, because apparently they're afraid you may want to marry me. I'm sick and tired of it. I'm not used to treatment of this sort; my patience is quite exhausted. And since you are the cause of the whole thing I have an obvious remedy. I would much rather not have anything more to do with you. If we meet one another in the street you need not trouble to look my way because I shall cut you dead. LADY MERESTON. [_In an undertone._] Thank God for that. MERESTON. Mother, mother. [_To_ LADY FREDERICK.] I'm awfully sorry. I feel that you have a right to be angry. For all that you've suffered I beg your pardon most humbly. My mother has said and done things which I regret to say are quite unjustifiable. LADY MERESTON. Charlie! MERESTON. On her behalf and on mine I apologise with all my heart. LADY FREDERICK. [_Smiling._] Don't take it too seriously. It really doesn't matter. But I think it's far wiser that we shouldn't see one another again. MERESTON. But I can't live without you. LADY MERESTON. [_With a gasp._] Ah! MERESTON.