_Mandeville._ You always said you liked my voice. We never see anything of each other now. I once thought that--well--that you might like me better. Are you sure you are not angry with me because I am taking Cyril to this rehearsal? _Julia._ Quite sure. Why should I care where Cyril goes? I only wish that I, too, might go to the theatre to-night. What part do you play? And what do you sing? A serenade? _Mandeville._ [_Astounded._] Yes. How on earth did you guess that? The costume is, of course, picturesque, and that is the great thing in an opera. A few men can sing--after a fashion--but to find the right clothes to sing _in_--that shows the true artist. _Julia._ And Sarah; does she look _her_ part? _Mandeville._ Well, I do not like to say anything against her, but she is not quite the person I should cast for la Marquise de la Perdrigonde. Ah! if you were on the stage, Miss de Trappe! You have just the exquisite charm, the grace, the majesty of bearing which, in the opinion of those who have never been to Court, is the peculiar distinction of women accustomed to the highest society. _Julia._ Oh, I should like to be an actress! _Mandeville._ No! no! I spoke selfishly--if you only acted with _me_, it would be different; but--but I could not bear to see another man making love to you--another man holding your hand and singing into your eyes--and--and----Oh, this is madness. You must not listen to me. _Julia._ I am not--angry, but--you must never again say things which you do not mean. If I thought you were untruthful it would make me so--so miserable. Always tell me the truth. [_Holds out her hand._] _Mandeville._ You are very beautiful! [_She drops her eyes, smiles, and wanders unconsciously to the mirror._] [Lady Doldrummond _suddenly enters from the boudoir, and_ Cyril _from the middle door_. Cyril _is handsome, but his features have that delicacy and his expression that pensiveness which promise artistic longings and domestic disappointment_.] _Cyril._ [_Cordially and in a state of suppressed excitement._] Oh, mother, this is my friend Mandeville. You have heard me mention him? _Lady Dol._ I do not remember, but---- _Cyril._ When I promised to go out with you this afternoon, I forgot that I had another engagement. Mandeville has been kind enough to call for me. _Lady Dol._ Another engagement, Cyril? [Lord Doldrummond _enters and comes down, anxiously looking from one to the other_.] _Cyril._ Father, this is my friend Mandeville. We have arranged to go up to town this afternoon. _Lady Dol._ [_Calmly._] What time shall I send the carriage to the station for you? The last train usually arrives about---- _Cyril._ I shall not return to-night. I intend to stay in town. Mandeville will put me up. _Lord Dol._ And where are you going? _Mandeville._ He is coming to our dress rehearsal of the "Dandy and the Dancer."