MERESTON. The colour's perfectly beautiful. LADY FREDERICK. It ought to be. It's frightfully expensive. MERESTON. You don't mean to say it's dyed? LADY FREDERICK. Oh, no. Only touched up. That's quite a different thing. MERESTON. Is it? LADY FREDERICK. It's like superstition, you know, which is what other people believe. My friends dye their hair, but I only touch mine up. Unfortunately, it costs just as much. MERESTON. And you have such a lot. LADY FREDERICK. Oh, heaps. [_She opens a drawer and takes out a long switch._] Give him a bit to look at. MAID. Yes, miladi. [_She gives it to him._ MERESTON. Er--yes. [_Not knowing what on earth to say._] How silky it is. LADY FREDERICK. A poor thing, but mine own. At least, I paid for it. By the way, have I paid for it yet, Angélique? MAID. Not yet, miladi. But the man can wait. LADY FREDERICK. [_Taking it from_ MERESTON.] A poor thing, then, but my hairdresser's. Shall I put it on? MERESTON. I wouldn't, if I were you. MAID. If her ladyship anticipates a tragic situation, I would venture to recommend it. A really pathetic scene is impossible without a quantity of hair worn quite high on the head. LADY FREDERICK. Oh, I know. Whenever I want to soften the hard heart of a creditor I clap on every bit I've got. But I don't think I will to-day. I'll tell you what, a temple curl would just fit the case. MAID. Then her ladyship inclines to comedy. Very well, I say no more. [LADY FREDERICK _takes two temple-curls from the drawer._ LADY FREDERICK. Aren't they dears? MERESTON. Yes. LADY FREDERICK. You've admired them very often, Charlie, haven't you? I suppose you never knew they cost a guinea each? MERESTON. It never occurred to me they were false. LADY FREDERICK. The masculine intelligence is so gross. Didn't your mother tell you? MERESTON. My mother told me a great deal. LADY FREDERICK. I expect she overdid it. There. Now that's done. D'you think it looks nice? MERESTON. Charming. LADY FREDERICK. Angélique, his lordship is satisfied. You may disappear. MAID. Yes, miladi. [_She goes._ LADY FREDERICK. Now, tell me you think I'm the most ravishing creature you ever saw in your life. MERESTON. I've told you that so often. LADY FREDERICK. [_Stretching out her hands._] You are a nice boy. It was charming of you to say--what you did yesterday. I could have hugged you there and then. MERESTON. Could you? LADY FREDERICK. Oh, my dear, don't be so cold. MERESTON. I'm very sorry, I didn't mean to be. LADY FREDERICK. Haven't you got anything nice to say to me at all? MERESTON. I don't know what I can say that I've not said a thousand times already. LADY FREDERICK. Tell me what you thought of all night when you tossed on that sleepless pillow of yours. MERESTON. I was awfully anxious to see you again. LADY FREDERICK.