GRACE. I wish you'd make an exception of the Dudleys. [CYNTHIA _rises and moves to the chair by the table._ MISS HENEAGE. And, of course, that excludes the Oppenheims--the Vance-Browns. MRS. PHILLIMORE. It's just as well to be exclusive. GRACE. I do wish you'd make an exception of Lena Dudley. MISS HENEAGE. We might, of course, include those new Girardos, and possibly--possibly the Paddingtons. GRACE. I do wish you would take in Lena Dudley. [_They are now sitting._ MRS. PHILLIMORE. The mother Dudley is as common as a charwoman, and not nearly as clean. PHILIP. [_Sighing, his own feelings, as usual, to the fore._] Ah! I certainly am fatigued! CYNTHIA _begins to slowly crush the newspaper she has been reading with both hands, as if the effort of self-repression were too much for her._ MISS HENEAGE. [_Making the best of a gloomy future._] We shall have to ask the Dudleys sooner or later to dine, Mary--because of the elder girl's marriage to that dissolute French Marquis. MRS. PHILLIMORE. [_Plaintively._] I don't like common people any more than I like common cats, and of course in my time-- MISS HENEAGE. I think I shall include the Dudleys. MRS. PHILLIMORE. You think you'll include the Dudleys? MISS HENEAGE. Yes, I think I will include the Dudleys! _Here_ CYNTHIA'S _control breaks down. Driven desperate by their chatter, she has slowly rolled her newspaper into a ball, and at this point tosses it violently to the floor and bursts into hysterical laughter._ MRS. PHILLIMORE. Why, my dear Cynthia--Compose yourself. PHILIP. [_Hastily._] What is the matter, Cynthia? [_They speak together._ MISS HENEAGE. Why, Mrs. Karslake, what is the matter? GRACE. [_Coming quickly forward._] Mrs. Karslake! CURTAIN. ACT II. SCENE. MRS. VIDA PHILLIMORE'S _boudoir. The room is furnished to please an empty-headed, pleasure-loving and fashionable woman. The furniture, the ornaments, what pictures there are, all witness to taste up-to-date. Two French windows open on to a balcony, from which the trees of Central Park can be seen. There is a table between them; a mirror, a scent bottle, &c., upon it. On the right, up stage, is a door; on the right, down stage, another door. A lady's writing-table stands between the two, nearer centre of stage. There is another door up stage; below it, an open fireplace, filled with potted plants, andirons, &c., not in use. Over it is a tall mirror; on the mantel-piece are a French clock, candelabra, vases, &c. On a line with the fireplace is a lounge, gay with silk pillows. A florist's box, large and long, filled with American Beauty roses, rests on a low table near the head of the lounge. Small tables and light chairs where needed._