[_With a gulp._] _I_ haven't seen anything of her. QUEX. [_In an altered tone._] Really? SOPHY. No. QUEX. [_Calmly._] Strange. [_He walks away and joins_ FRAYNE. SOPHY _stealthily closes and fastens the window._ QUEX. [_In a low voice, to_ FRAYNE.] Chick-- FRAYNE. Eh? QUEX. Miss Eden _is_ here. Why is the Fullgarney telling me this falsehood? FRAYNE. You will remember I was positive she would sell you before she'd done with you. QUEX. [_Gripping_ FRAYNE'S _arm._] Don't! [_Advancing to_ SOPHY--_politely._] I understood from my aunt, Miss Fullgarney, that her ladyship left Miss Eden at Gressier's, the jeweller's, less than half an hour ago. SOPHY. [_Fussing with the objects upon the cabinet and the manicure-table._] Oh? QUEX. Miss Eden had some little commission to discharge at Gressier's, and intended coming across to you immediately afterwards. SOPHY. [_Quickly._] Ah, then she hasn't finished her business at Gressier's yet. QUEX. Yes, because I looked in at the shop on my way here. SOPHY. Funny. I can't imagine where she's taken herself to. QUEX. [_Earnestly._] Miss Fullgarney-- SOPHY. My lord? QUEX. I thought we had become good friends, you and I--? SOPHY. So we have, I hope. QUEX. And that you were desirous of rendering me a service? SOPHY. Well, aren't I, my lord? QUEX. Are you? You _know_ that Miss Eden came to you directly she left Gressier's. You _know_ she did. SOPHY. [_After a pause--drawing a deep breath._] Yes, I--I own it. QUEX. [_Reproachfully._] Ah, Miss Fullgarney! SOPHY. She _has_ been in, and I _have_ done you the service I promised. QUEX. [_Calmly._] You have? SOPHY. Indeed I have, as true as I stand here. [_Steadying herself._] But the fact is--the fact is Miss Eden had a purchase to make that she didn't wish the ladies to interfere over, and--and she has run out for ten minutes. If your lordship must know where she is, she's in the Burlington. QUEX. [_Very quietly._] Oh, she has run out for a few minutes? SOPHY. She might be a quarter of an hour. QUEX. Not _run_ out; _flown_ out, at one of these windows. SOPHY. [_Faintly._] One of these windows? QUEX. [_Pointing to the entrance._] She has not gone out by the door. SOPHY. What do you mean? QUEX. Your young ladies assured me just now that Miss Eden was in this room with you. [FRAYNE, _possessed of an idea, has gone to the door in the partition. He now raps at the door gently._] No, no, Chick--please! we are not policemen. FRAYNE. [_Opening the door a few inches._] Miss Eden, I regret to learn you are suffering from headache. SOPHY. [_Indignantly._] Well, of all the liberties--! QUEX. [_Angrily._] Frayne! FRAYNE. May I tell you of an unfailing remedy--? [_He peeps into the private room, then withdraws his head, and says to_ QUEX.] No. SOPHY.