EUSTASIA. It’s nicely written, but I don’t think it’s very exciting. I don’t think Mr. Latimer has a very good taste in books. I asked him to recommend me something really interesting to read aloud, and he said that the two most interesting books he knew were Carlyle’s _French Revolution_ and—and—(_looking at the cover_) Gibbon’s _Roman Empire_.... Fancy, there are four volumes of it and six hundred pages in a volume. We’re at page 3 now. (_She reads a line or two to herself._) Oh, now, this is rather interesting, because it’s all about _us_. “The only accession which the Roman Empire received during the first century of the Christian era was the province of Britain.” Fancy! “The proximity of its situation to the coast of Gaul seemed to invite their arms, the pleasing though doubtful intelligence of a pearl fishery attracted their avarice.” And then there’s a little footnote—I suppose that’s to say it was Whitstable. (_Getting to it_) Oh no—“The British pearls proved, however, of little value, on account of their dark and livid colour.” How horrid. “Tacitus observes——” well, then, Tacitus says something again.... I _wish_ he would write in English.... Now where was I? Something about the pearls. Oh yes. “After a war of about forty years”—good gracious!—“undertaken by the most stupid, maintained by the most dissolute, and——” (_NICHOLAS returns with his pipe._) NICHOLAS. Oh, sorry, I’m interrupting. LEONARD (_waking up_). No, no. Eustasia was just reading to me. (_To her_) You mustn’t tire yourself, dear. (_To NICHOLAS_) Stay and talk. NICHOLAS. What’s the book? Carlyle’s _French Revolution_? EUSTASIA (_primly_). Certainly not. (_Looking at the title again_) Gibbon’s _Roman Empire_. NICHOLAS. Any good? EUSTASIA. Fascinating, isn’t it, Leonard? LEONARD. Very. NICHOLAS. You ought to try Carlyle, old chap. LEONARD. Is _he_ good? NICHOLAS (_who has had eight pages read aloud to him by EUSTASIA_). Oh, topping. EUSTASIA (_looking at her watch_). Good gracious! I ought to be dressing. LEONARD (_looking at his_). Yes, it _is_ about time. NICHOLAS (_looking at his_). Yes. EUSTASIA. Leonard, darling, I don’t think it would be safe for you to change. Not to-night; to-morrow if you like. LEONARD. I say, look here, you said that last night. EUSTASIA. Ah, but your temperature has gone up again. NICHOLAS. I expect that’s only because the book was so exciting. LEONARD. Yes, that’s right. EUSTASIA. But I took his temperature _before_ I began reading. NICHOLAS. Perhaps yesterday’s instalment was still hanging about a bit. EUSTASIA (_to LEONARD_). No, darling, not to-night. Just to please his Eustasia. LEONARD (_sulkily_). All right. EUSTASIA. That’s a good boy. (_She walks to the door, NICHOLAS going with her to open it._) And if he’s _very_ good, and Eustasia is _very_ quick dressing, perhaps she’ll read him another little bit of that nice book before dinner. [_She goes out._