[_As before._] Is that you, Charlie? You're very punctual. MERESTON. I've been walking about outside till the clock struck. LADY FREDERICK. I'm not nearly dressed, you know. I've only just had my bath. MERESTON. Must I go? LADY FREDERICK. No, of course not. You can talk to me while I'm finishing. MERESTON. All right. How are you this morning? LADY FREDERICK. I don't know. I haven't looked at myself in the glass yet. How are you? MERESTON. A 1, thanks. LADY FREDERICK. Are you looking nice? MERESTON. [_Going to the glass._] I hope so. By Jove, what a strong light. You must be pretty sure of your complexion to be able to stand that. LADY FREDERICK. [_Appearing._] I am. MERESTON. [_Going forward eagerly._] Ah. [_She comes through the curtains. She wears a kimono, her hair is all dishevelled, hanging about her head in a tangled mop. She is not made up and looks haggard and yellow and lined. When_ MERESTON _sees her he gives a slight start of surprise. She plays the scene throughout with her broadest brogue._ LADY FREDERICK. Good-morning. MERESTON. [_Staring at her in dismay._] Good-morning. LADY FREDERICK. Well, what have you to say to me? MERESTON. [_Embarrassed._] I--er--hope you slept all right. LADY FREDERICK. [_Laughing._] Did you? MERESTON. I forget. LADY FREDERICK. I believe you slept like a top, Charlie. You really might have lain awake and thought of me. What is the matter? You look as if you'd seen a ghost. MERESTON. Oh no, not at all. LADY FREDERICK. You're not disappointed already? MERESTON. No, of course not. Only--you look so different with your hair not done. LADY FREDERICK. [_With a little cry._] Oh, I'd forgotten all about it. Angélique, come and do my hair. MAID. [_Appearing._] Yes, miladi. [LADY FREDERICK _sits down at the dressing-table._ LADY FREDERICK. Now, take pains, Angélique. I want to look my very best. Angélique is a jewel of incalculable value. MAID. Miladi is very kind. LADY FREDERICK. If I'm light-hearted, she does it one way. If I'm depressed she does it another. MAID. Oh, miladi, the perruquier who taught me said always that a good hairdresser could express every mood and every passion of the human heart. LADY FREDERICK. Good heavens, you don't mean to say you can do all that? MAID. Miladi, he said I was his best pupil. LADY FREDERICK. Very well. Express--express a great crisis in my affairs. MAID. That is the easiest thing in the world, miladi. I bring the hair rather low on the forehead, and that expresses a crisis in her ladyship's affairs. LADY FREDERICK. But I always wear my hair low on the forehead. MAID. Then it is plain her ladyship's affairs are always in a critical condition. LADY FREDERICK. So they are. I never thought of that. MERESTON. You've got awfully stunning hair, Lady Frederick. LADY FREDERICK. D'you like it, really?