YOUNG LADY.

Miss F.?

MISS MOON.

I beg your pardon—­Miss Fullgarney.  Valma is quite neighbourly with Miss
Fullgarney.

[A door-gong sounds—­as it does every time any one enters or quits the establishment—­signifying that the first gentleman has departed.

SECOND GENTLEMAN.

[Rising.] Much obliged. [Putting a tip into MISS HUDDLE’S hand.] For yourself.

MISS HUDDLE.

Much obliged to you.

SECOND GENTLEMAN.

You’re a fresh face here?

MISS HUDDLE.

Yes; I used to be with Mossu and Madame Roget in Mortimer Street.

SECOND GENTLEMAN.

I’ll ask for you next time.  What name?

MISS HUDDLE.

Miss Huddle.

SECOND GENTLEMAN.

Huddle?

MISS HUDDLE.

Well, p’r’aps you’d better ask for Miss Hud-delle; I fancy Miss
Fullgarney is going to alter me to that.

SECOND GENTLEMAN.

[With a nod.] Goo’-bye.

MISS HUDDLE.

Good-day, sir.

[He pays MISS LIMBIRD and goes out.  The maid rises and hands the young lady her gloves.

MISS MOON.

[Taking a card from the mirror.] Would you like a card of Valma’s, madam, just to remind you?

YOUNG LADY.

[Accepting the card and reading it.] “Valma.  Palmist.  Professor of the Sciences of Chiromancy and Chirognomy. 186 New Bond Street.” [Giving the card to her maid.] Keep that.

[The door-gong sounds.

MISS MOON.

[Opening a window.] Look, madam.  That’s one of his rooms; the window there—­the open one—­

YOUNG LADY.

Yes, I see.  Thanks.  Good-morning.

MISS MOON.

Good morning.

[The young lady pays MISS LIMBIRD and goes, followed by her maid.

MISS HUDDLE.

[To MISS MOON] What time is it, dear?

MISS MOON.

[Putting her table in order.] Half-past one.  Lunch-time.

MISS HUDDLE.

Thought so; I’ve sech a vacancy.

[MISS HUDDLE goes out, carrying her bowl and towel, as FRANK POLLITT—­“VALMA”—­appears at the window on the left—­a well, if rather showily, dressed young fellow, wearing a frock coat, white waistcoat, and patent-leather boots.  He is handsome in a commonplace way, and, though stilted and self-conscious, earnest in speech and bearing.

POLLITT.

[Looking in.] Excuse me—­

MISS MOON.

[Startled.] Oh! oh, Mr. Valma!

POLLITT.

[Entering.] Is Miss Fullgarney in the way?

MISS MOON.

[Gazing at him in modest admiration.] She’s with a lady in the private room, Mr. Valma.

[The door in the partition opens.