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.

SOPHY.

[Fussing with the objects upon the cabinet and the manicure-table.] Oh?

QUEX.

Miss Eden had some little commission to discharge at Gressier’s, and intended coming across to you immediately afterwards.

SOPHY.

[Quickly.] Ah, then she hasn’t finished her business at Gressier’s yet.

QUEX.

Yes, because I looked in at the shop on my way here.

SOPHY.

Funny.  I can’t imagine where she’s taken herself to.

QUEX.

[Earnestly.] Miss Fullgarney—­

SOPHY.

My lord?

QUEX.

I thought we had become good friends, you and I—?

SOPHY.

So we have, I hope.

QUEX.

And that you were desirous of rendering me a service?

SOPHY.

Well, aren’t I, my lord?

QUEX.

Are you?  You know that Miss Eden came to you directly she left
Gressier’s.  You know she did.

SOPHY.

[After a pause—­drawing a deep breath.] Yes, I—­I own it.

QUEX.

[Reproachfully.] Ah, Miss Fullgarney!

SOPHY.

She has been in, and I have done you the service I promised.

QUEX.

[Calmly.] You have?

SOPHY.

Indeed I have, as true as I stand here. [Steadying herself.] But the fact is—­the fact is Miss Eden had a purchase to make that she didn’t wish the ladies to interfere over, and—­and she has run out for ten minutes.  If your lordship must know where she is, she’s in the Burlington.