[Putting her smelling-bottle to his nose.] Ever since? SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Ever since I took Office. Thank you. LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. Was it a very brilliant Drawing-Room? SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. I think it must have been. I have been more than usually trodden upon. LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. Did you catch a glimpse of Aunt Kitty or of any of our people? SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. I _heard_ Lady Twombley. What inexhaustible spirit she has! Euphemia, my dear, I confide in you. But for Lady Twombley I could never endure the badgering, the browbeating, the hackling, for which I seem especially selected. LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. It's _too_ unjust. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Oh, I know I am going to have a bad time in the House to-night! LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. Don't dwell upon it, uncle. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Euphemia! [He jumps up almost fiercely.] LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. Uncle Julian! SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Certain members of the Opposition are going too far. They regard me as a bull in the arena. They goad me, they pierce me with questions. And then, the lack of journalistic sympathy! Look here! [He stealthily produces a newspaper from his pocket.] LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. [Reproachfully.] Uncle Julian, you've bought a newspaper. You promised aunt you never would. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. H'm! I would have you know, Euphemia, that I have not absolutely broken my pledge to Lady Twombley. I made Harris, the coachman, purchase this. As you drive home drop it out of your carriage window. [As LADY EUPHEMIA takes the paper from him her eyes fall upon a paragraph.] LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. Oh! do they mean you, uncle? SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Without doubt. LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. [Reading.] "The Square Peg!" SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Hush! the servant! [LADY EUPHEMIA crams the paper into her pocket. PROBYN enters, carrying a small music-easel with some music on it and a flute in a case.] PROBYN. Here, Sir Julian? LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. Oh, do play, uncle! SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. [To PROBYN.] Thank you. LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. It will soothe you. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. [Taking the flute from PROBYN.] My only vice, Euphemia. [PROBYN goes out. SIR JULIAN sounds a mournful note.] This little friend has inspired some of my most conspicuous oratorical triumphs. It has furnished me with many a cutting rejoinder for question time. [He sounds another note.] Ah, I know I am going to have such a bad night in the House. [He plays. MRS. GAYLUSTRE enters with BROOKE.] LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. [To herself.] That woman! MRS. GAYLUSTRE. [To LADY EUPHEMIA.] How do you do? [LADY EUPHEMIA stares, inclines her head slightly, and goes to BROOKE.] MRS. GAYLUSTRE. [To herself.] Haughty wretch! SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. Mrs. Gaylustre! MRS. GAYLUSTRE. Oh, Sir Julian, don't, don't stop! SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY. I thought I was alone with Lady Euphemia. MRS. GAYLUSTRE. I am waiting to see dear Lady Twombley. Oh, do permit me to hear that sweet instrument! SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.