_Lady Dol._ Thank goodness, he is gone! What a terrible example for Cyril. I was on thorns every second lest he should come in. Soame has just those meretricious attractions which appeal to youth and inexperience. That you should encourage such an acquaintance, and even discuss before him such an intimate matter as my hope with regard to Julia, is, perhaps, more painful than astonishing. _Lord Dol._ They are both too young to marry. Let them enjoy life while they may. _Lady Dol._ _Enjoy_ life? What a degrading suggestion! I have often observed that there is a lurking taste for the vicious in every Doldrummond. [_Picking up_ Cyril's _miniature from the table_.] Cyril is pure Bedingfield: my second self! [_The Butler announces_ Mrs. De Trappe, Mr. Arthur Featherleigh, Mr. Banish. Mrs. de Trappe _is a pretty woman with big eyes and a small waist; she has a trick of biting her under-lip, and looking shocked, as it were, at her own audacity. Her manner is a little effusive, but always well-bred. She does not seem affected, and has something artless, confiding, and pathetic._ Mr. Featherleigh _has a nervous laugh and a gentlemanly appearance; otherwise inscrutable_. Mr. Banish _is old, well-preserved, rather pompous, and evidently mistakes deportment for dignity_.] _Mrs. de Trappe._ [_Kissing_ Lady Dol. _on each cheek_.] Dear Edith, I knew we should surprise you. But Mr. Banish and I are house-hunting, and I thought I must run in and see you and Julia, if only for a second. I felt sure you would not mind my bringing Arthur [_indicating_ Featherleigh.] He is so lonely at the prospect of my marriage that Mr. Banish and I have promised to keep him always with us. We have known each other so long. How should we spend our evenings without him? James admits they would be tedious, don't you, James? [_Indicating_ Banish.] _Banish._ Certainly, my dear. _Lady Dol._ [_Stiffly._] I can well understand that you have learned to regard Mr. Featherleigh as your own son. And as we advance in years, it is so pleasant to have young people about us. _Mrs. de Trappe._ [_After a slight pause._] How odd that it should never have struck me in that light before! I have always thought of Arthur as the trustee, as it were, of my poor fatherless Julia [_To_ Banish.] Have I not often said so, James? _Banish._ [_Dryly._] Often. In fact I have always thought that Julia would never lack a father whilst Arthur was alive. But I admit that he is a little young for the responsibility. _Feather._ [_Unmoved._] Do not forget, Violet, that our train leaves in fifty-five minutes. _Lord Dol._ [_Catching a desperate glance from_ Lady Doldrummond.] Then I shall have time to show you the Russian poodles which the Duke of Camdem brought me from Japan.