_Lady Maisie (to herself)._ I do trust Mr. SPURRELL isn't saying something too dreadful. I'm sure I heard my name just now. (_Aloud, absently, to_ Capt. THICKNESSE.) No, did you _really_? How amusing it must have been! _Capt. Thick. (aggrieved)._ If you'd done me the honour of payin' any attention to what I was sayin', you'd have found out it _wasn't_ amusin'. _Lady M. (starting)._ Oh, _wasn't_ it? I'm so sorry I missed it. I--I'm afraid I was thinking of something else. Do tell me again! _Capt. Thick. (still hurt)._ No, I won't inflict it on you--not worth repeatin'. And I should only be takin' off your attention from a fellow that _does_ know how to talk. _Lady M. (with a guiltiness which she tries to carry off under dignity)._ I don't think I understand what you mean. _Capt. Thick._ Well, I couldn't help hearin' what you said to your poet-friend before we went in about having to put up with partners; and it isn't what you may call flattering to a fellow's feelin's, being put up with. _Lady M. (hotly)._ It--it was not intended for you. You entirely misunderstood! [Illustration: "It does seem to me such--well, such footle!"] _Capt. Thick._ Daresay I'm very dense; but, even to _my_ comprehension, it's plain enough that the reason why you weren't listenin' to me just now was that the Poet had the luck to say somethin' that you found more interesting. _Lady M._ You are _quite_ wrong--it's too absurd; I never even met Mr. SPURRELL in my life till this afternoon. If you really _must_ know, I heard him mention my name, and--and I wondered, naturally, what he could possibly be saying. _Capt. Thick._ Somethin' very charmin' and poetical, I'm sure, and I'm makin' you lose it all. Apologise--shan't happen again. _Lady M._ Please be sensible, and let us talk of something else. Are you staying here long? _Capt. Thick._ You will be gratified to hear I leave for Aldershot to-morrow. Meant to have gone to-day. Sorry I _didn't_ now. _Lady M._ I think it was a thousand pities you didn't, as you seem to have stayed on purpose to be as stupid and unkind as you possibly can. [_She turns to her other neighbour_, Lord LULLINGTON. _Mrs. Chatt._ (_to_ Capt. THICKNESSE, _who is on her other side_). Oh, Captain THICKNESSE, what _do_ you think Mr. SPURRELL has just told me? You remember those lines to Lady GRISOLINE that Mr. PILLINER made such fun of this morning? Well, they were meant for Lady MAISIE! They're quite old friends, it seems. _So_ romantic! Wouldn't you like to know how they came to meet? _Capt. Thick._ Can't say I'm particularly curious--no affair of mine, don't you know. (_To himself._) And she told me they'd never met before! Sooner I get back the better. Only in the way here. _Lady M. (turning to him)._ Well, are you as determined to be disagreeable as ever? Oh, yes, I see you are!