SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. I suppose so. DOWAGER. Knowing that you were not going down to Browning Street this morning, and that Lady Twombley and Imogen were to take Euphemia shopping in Bond Street, I grasped the chance of seeing you alone. Julian, what has happened to your wife? SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. To Katherine? DOWAGER. There is a shocking change. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Recently? DOWAGER. It began two or three months ago. She's not the woman she was at the commencement of the season. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. You alarm me. In what way? DOWAGER. Every way. Her appearance. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. I haven't noticed it. DOWAGER. Being her husband, it is natural you should not. Her variable temperament! At one moment she looks as if she would like to bury everybody, me especially; the next she is laughing in a manner I must designate as positively provincial. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Dora, you quite distress me. DOWAGER. I came early for that purpose. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Thank you. DOWAGER. Perhaps you resent my interference. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. No, no. DOWAGER. It would not deter me if you did. The grand motive of my life is a firm, undeviating, persistent policy of practical interference. I am a social warrior; the moment I scent domestic carnage I hurl myself into the _melee_ and plant my flag. Julian, my flag is planted in your household. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. But I am aware of nothing disquieting to Katherine's peace of mind. DOWAGER. Don't tell me! SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Two or three months ago there _was_ a little difficulty---- DOWAGER. Ah! SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. But it was mine, not Katherine's. DOWAGER. Yours? SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Frankly, I was embarrassed for ready money. DOWAGER. Oh, dear! SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. But Katherine, who is really of an extremely thrifty nature, promptly placed her very considerable savings at my disposal, and the difficulty ceased. DOWAGER. It never struck me your wife was thrifty. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Nor me till that moment. Which shows how liable the most careful observer is to error. [Resuming the study of his speech.] Pray excuse me. DOWAGER. [To herself.] Um! [She goes up to the window.] SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. [Studying.] "I can conceive no position more agreeable to a Minister of the Crown----" I'll go upstairs, quietly. "----than that which I occupy upon this occasion." [He moves softly toward the door. The DOWAGER turns suddenly.] DOWAGER. Julian! SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Dora? DOWAGER. I don't like your wife's great friendship for Mrs. Gaylustre. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Katherine finds her a bright companion. DOWAGER. Katherine has _my_ companionship. It's true I can't cut a sleeve like that lady. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. It is to be regretted that poor Mrs. Gaylustre is forced to follow the modern fashion of increasing her income by devices formerly practised only by the lower middle-classes. DOWAGER. She sticks pins in her bosom as though she relished it.