[Outside.] Mamma!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Come and show yourself to pa.

[IMOGEN enters in her Court dress, a pretty girl of about eighteen.]

IMOGEN.

Effie, dear! Well, Brooke!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

[To SIR JULIAN.] Look at her!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Quite charming!

IMOGEN.

Well, papa, have you nothing to say to me?

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

My dear, I hesitate to address such a magnificent creature.

IMOGEN.

[Bowing to SIR JULIAN.] Mamma, I think that gentleman wishes to be presented to me. I have no objection, if you consider him a person I ought to know.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

[Kissing IMOGEN.] Ah, Julian, our sweet child!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

[Taking IMOGEN's hand.] My dear.

IMOGEN.

[With dignity.] I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I've heard you mentioned very kindly by my little friend, Imogen Twombley. Pray sit down, and I'll sit on your lap. [IMOGEN sits on SIR JULIAN's knee and puts her arm round his neck.] Oh, papa, I have been so nervous!

MRS. GAYl.u.s.tRE.

I quite sympathize. I was shockingly nervous when _I_ was presented.

IMOGEN.

[Rising hastily.] Mrs. Gayl.u.s.tre--I didn't see you.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

[To BROOKE and LADY EUPHEMIA.] Dear old Lady Leeke, whose wheels we locked in the Park, said she had heard Imogen's name mentioned fifty times. Mrs. Charlie Lessingham declares nothing prettier has been seen since her own first season. And it's true--that's the best of it! I saw the child make her courtesy; I was determined I would. I entered the Throne Room just before her and tumbled through anyhow, with one eye straight in front of me and the other screwed round towards my girl.

There was a general shudder--it was at my squint.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

I trust not, Katherine.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

When I did get through they gave me my train, as much as to say: "If this belongs to you, take it home as soon as possible." But there I stuck in the doorway, not budging an inch. I didn't care how the officials whispered, and waved, and beckoned; I stood my ground. And then, Julian, then my breath nearly went from me, for I saw her coming!

Effie, it was lovely! Brooke, you would have been proud of your sister!

Her cheeks were like the outside leaf of a d.u.c.h.esse de Vallombrosa rose, and her eyes like two dewdrops on the top of it; and she had just enough fright in her little heart to make her feathers tremble. Then she courtesied. Ah, if she had stumbled I should have been by her side in an instant--who would have blamed me? I'm her mother!--but she didn't. No, she floated towards me--dipping, and dipping, and dipping, again and again, as smoothly and gracefully as a swan swimming backward!

[LADY TWOMBLEY embraces IMOGEN.]

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

I am _too_ glad, Aunt Kitty.

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

Awfully satisfactory--what?

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

I remember Lady Liphook's daughter Miriam falling and rolling over in the season of '85.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Lor' how sorry I feel for anybody who isn't a mother! But, I say, there's a bit that wants taking in there. [Pinching up the shoulder of IMOGEN's dress.] Gayl.u.s.tre, you must tell your woman Antoinette this won't do.

MRS. GAYl.u.s.tRE.

Oh, Lady Twombley--please!

[MRS. GAYl.u.s.tRE puts her handkerchief to her eyes.]

LADY TWOMBLEY.

My dear, pray forgive me! I really forgot where we were.

MRS. GAYl.u.s.tRE.

[To LADY TWOMBLEY, with a little sob.] You wouldn't hurt my feelings wilfully, I know.

LADY TWOMBLEY.