[_Rising and coming to_ LADY OWBRIDGE.] I'm ready, dear Lady Owbridge. Look! you can see your face in them. [LADY OWBRIDGE _rises;_ MURIEL _displays her nails._ LADY OWBRIDGE _shakes her head gravely, while_ QUEX _bends over_ MURIEL'S _hands gallantly._ MRS. EDEN. [_To_ SOPHY.] My hands need trimming up desperately badly. That maid of mine is a fool at fingers. SOPHY. Can't you stay now? MRS. EDEN. [_With an impatient movement of the head towards_ LADY OWBRIDGE.] Oh, lord, no. [_Suddenly._] I say, I wish you'd run down to Richmond, to Fauncey Court, and do me. Could you? SOPHY. [_Innocently._] Oh, yes. MRS. EDEN. To-night, before dinner? SOPHY. I think I can. MRS. EDEN. [_To_ LADY OWBRIDGE.] Lady Owbridge, Miss Fullgarney is coming down to Richmond this evening to manicure me. Do, do, do let her give your nails the fashionable cut. [_Going to_ QUEX _and_ MURIEL.] Everybody is wearing pointed nails this Season. LADY OWBRIDGE. [_Advancing to_ SOPHY.] Ah, no, no. These practices are somewhat shocking to an old woman. [_To_ SOPHY.] But I don't blame you. [_Laying her hand upon_ SOPHY'S _arm, kindly._] So you're Miss Eden's foster-sister, eh? SOPHY. I've that honour, my lady. LADY OWBRIDGE. You look a little thin. Come down to Fauncey Court to-day as soon as your duties will release you. Spend as many hours there as you can. SOPHY. Oh, my lady! LADY OWBRIDGE. Run about the grounds--go wherever you please; and get the air into your lungs. [_With gracious formality._] Remember, I invite you. MURIEL. [_Innocently._] How good of you, Lady Owbridge! SOPHY. Thank you, my lady. [FRAYNE _returns--accompanied by_ MISS MOON, _who carries a neat package--and settles an account with_ MISS LIMBIRD _at the desk._ LADY OWBRIDGE. [_To_ SOPHY.] You shall be well looked after. [_She shakes hands with_ FRAYNE. MURIEL. [_Kissing_ SOPHY.] We shall meet by-and-by. LADY OWBRIDGE. Muriel--young people-- [MURIEL _joins_ LADY OWBRIDGE; _they go out together._ MRS. EDEN. [_Nodding to_ SOPHY.] This evening, Sophy. SOPHY. [_In a flutter of simple pleasure._] Yes, Mrs. Eden. MRS. EDEN. [_Shaking hands with_ FRAYNE.] Till dinner-- [_She goes out._ QUEX. [_To_ SOPHY.] Good-bye, Miss Fullgarney. SOPHY. [_Tripping across the room._] Good-day, my lord. QUEX. [_Joining_ FRAYNE.] Are you coming, Chick? FRAYNE. [_Taking the parcel from_ MISS MOON, _and turning to_ QUEX, _rather bitterly._] I say, that gal has made me buy something I don't want. They stick you here frightfully-- QUEX. Ha, ha, ha, ha! [_They go out together._ SOPHY. [_Adjusting her hair at the mirror._] Come, girls! look alive! no more work for me to-day! I'm off home to change my frock. I've got an invite down to Richmond. My hat and coat! [_The door-gong sounds._ MISS MOON _disappears at the door in the partition._ MISS HUDDLE _enters._ SOPHY. Miss Hud-delle, please run next door, and ask Mr. Valma to step this way for a moment. MISS HUDDLE.