d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_With reviving interest._] Ah, yes.

QUEX.

I have had no other opportunity--[_Looking about him awkwardly for a place to deposit the box._] Will you--? shall I--? what the devil's to become of 'em?

d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_Sitting upright and pa.s.sing her hand over her back hair._] Were there a fire, we could crouch over it and watch the flames consume them one by one.

QUEX.

But there isn't a fire.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_Rising, and taking the box from him._] Let us examine them.

QUEX.

No, no, no.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Yes, yes. [_Opening the box and gazing into it._] Ah, poor little objects! dead, yet animate; silent, yet, oh, how eloquent! Don't go away--[_She overturns the contents of the box on to the table. They stand opposite each other, looking down upon the litter. She picks up a ring._] A ring--[_thoughtfully_] turquoise and pearl. [_Recollecting._]

Stockholm! You remember--that night you and I sat watching the lights of the cafe on the Norrbro--!

QUEX.

[_Hastily._] Yes, yes; you've recalled it already to-day.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_Picking up a scarf-pin._] A scarf-pin. Copenhagen! Ah, that pretty state-room of mine on the _Irene_!

QUEX.

Yes, yes, charming.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_Taking up a locket._] A locket--my name in brilliants. Genoa! Look, it still contains my hair.

QUEX.

[_Nodding._] H'm, um.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_Taking up a white shoe._] My shoe. Where--?

QUEX.

[_Shaking his head._] I don't--

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Mentone!

QUEX.

Of course--Mentone.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_Discovering some object in the shoe._] What is this? [_Producing a garter of pale-blue silk, with a diamond buckle._] A--a--where--? ah, yes. [_Replacing the things in the box._] Oh, the poor little objects!

dead, yet animate; silent, yet, oh, how eloquent!

[_She pa.s.ses him and slips the box into the drawer of the writing-table.

The clock strikes a quarter to twelve._

QUEX.

[_Glancing at the clock._] By Jove, it's late! I--I'll leave you now, Sidonia.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_Turning._] No, no--not yet, Harry. [_Coming to the table and taking up the box of cigarettes._] Why, you forget--[_offering him the box_]

Argyropulos!

QUEX.

[_Accepting a cigarette reluctantly._] Thanks. [_Again looking at the clock._] Well--three minutes.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_Taking a cigarette, replacing the box, and holding the spirit lamp while he lights his cigarette from it._] You were not always so impatient. [_In lighting his cigarette, the flame of the lamp is blown out._] Ah! [_After replacing the lamp, she lights her cigarette from his, gazing into his eyes._] Argyropulos. [_Dreamily._] Once more--Argyropulos.

QUEX.

Yes, yes--capital tobacco.

[_He gets away from her._

d.u.c.h.eSS.

And look! you see, Harry?