_Lady Cant._ MAISIE, there's quite a clever little notice in _Society Snippets_ about the dance at SKYMPINGS last week. I'm sure I wonder how they pick up these things; it quite bears out what I was told; says the supper arrangements were "simply disgraceful; _no_ plovers' eggs, and not nearly enough champagne; and what there was, undrinkable!" So _like_ poor dear Lady CHESEPARE; never _does_ do things like anybody else. I'm sure _I've_ given her hints enough! _Spurr. (to himself, with a suppressed grin)._ Wants to let me see _she_ knows some swells. Now _ain't_ that paltry? _Lady Cant. (tendering the paper)._ Would you like to see it, MAISIE? Just this hit here; where my finger is. _Lady Maisie (to herself, flushing)._ I saw him smile. What _must_ he think of us, with his splendid scorn for rank? (_Aloud._) No, thank you, Mamma; such a wretched light to read by! _Spurr. (to himself)._ Chance for _me_ to cut in! (_Aloud._) Beastly light, isn't it? 'Pon my word, the company ought to provide us with a dog and string apiece when we get out! _Lady Cant. (bringing a pair of long-handled glasses to bear upon him)._ I happen to hold shares in this line. May I ask _why_ you consider a provision of dogs and string at all the stations a necessary or desirable expenditure? _Spurr._ Oh--er--well, you know, I only meant, bring on _blindness_ and that. Harmless attempt at a joke, that's all. _Lady Cant._ I see. I scarcely expected that _you_ would condescend to such weakness. I--ah--think you are going down to stay at Wyvern for a few days, are you not? _Spurr (to himself)._ I was right. What TOM said _did_ fetch the old girl; no harm in humouring her a bit. (_Aloud._) Yes--oh yes, they--aw--wanted me to run down when I could. _Lady Cant._ I heard they were expecting you. You will find Wyvern a pleasant house--for a short visit. _Spurr (to himself). She_ heard! Oh, she wants to kid me she knows the CULVERINS. Rats! (_Aloud._) Shall I, though? I daresay. _Lady Cant._ Lady CULVERIN is a very sweet woman; a little limited, perhaps, not intellectual, or quite what one would call the _grande dame_; but perhaps _that_ could scarcely be expected. _Spurr. (vaguely)._ Oh, of course not--no. (_To himself._) If she bluffs, so can I! (_Aloud._) It's funny your turning out to be an acquaintance of Lady C.'s, though. _Lady Cant._ You think so? But I should hardly call myself an _acquaintance_. _Spurr. (to himself)._ Old cat's trying to back out of it now; she _shan't_, though! (_Aloud._) Oh, then I suppose you know Sir RUPERT best? _Lady Cant._ Yes, I certainly know Sir RUPERT better. _Spurr. (to himself)._ Oh, you do, do you? We'll see. (_Aloud._) Nice cheery old chap, Sir RUPERT, isn't he? I must tell him I travelled down in the same carriage with a particular friend of his. (_To himself._) That'll make her sit up! _Lady Cant._ Oh, then you and my brother RUPERT have met already?