[_The door-gong sounds._ BASTLING _appears at the window, and looks into the room._

SOPHY.

[_Whose back is towards the window, soothingly._] No, no, you sha'n't go across to Valma's while you're like this. I'll make an excuse for you to Captain Bastling--

BASTLING.

[_At the window._] Muriel!

MURIEL.

[_Pa.s.sing_ SOPHY _swiftly._] Napier!

SOPHY.

[_Holding her arm._] Darling--

MURIEL.

[_Freeing herself._] Release me, Sophy! release me! ah--!

[_She joins_ BASTLING _and they disappear. As_ SOPHY _goes to the window and looks out after them,_ QUEX _enters, followed by_ FRAYNE.

QUEX.

[_Glancing round the room._] Miss Fullgarney--

SOPHY.

[_Turning sharply._] Hey? [_Blankly._] Oh--my lord--!

QUEX.

I am compelled to intrude upon you again. I have just met Lady Owbridge, with her Grace and Mrs. Eden in Sackville Street. My aunt sends me with a message to Miss Eden.

SOPHY.

[_Confused._] M--m--Miss Eden?

QUEX.

Mrs. Eden has proposed a lunch at Prince's, provided that Miss Eden feels equal to--[_Looking about him again._] Where is Miss Eden?

SOPHY.

Where?

QUEX.

She is here--with you.

SOPHY.

N--no.

QUEX.

No?

SOPHY.

[_With a gulp._] _I_ haven't seen anything of her.

QUEX.

[_In an altered tone._] Really?

SOPHY.

No.

QUEX.

[_Calmly._] Strange.

[_He walks away and joins_ FRAYNE. SOPHY _stealthily closes and fastens the window._

QUEX.

[_In a low voice, to_ FRAYNE.] Chick--

FRAYNE.

Eh?

QUEX.

Miss Eden _is_ here. Why is the Fullgarney telling me this falsehood?

FRAYNE.

You will remember I was positive she would sell you before she'd done with you.

QUEX.

[_Gripping_ FRAYNE'S _arm._] Don't! [_Advancing to_ SOPHY--_politely._]

I understood from my aunt, Miss Fullgarney, that her ladyship left Miss Eden at Gressier's, the jeweller's, less than half an hour ago.