[He sits in the arm-chair near the sofa.

BELLA.  But it says the island they went against was the heathenest of the lot, and that there’s no good reason why if they’d hadn’t no fight with the natives, we shouldn’t ‘a’ had news from them.

STEVEN.  The whole question of news in a case like this is too uncertain to make so much alarm about.  The men’s idea is not to send picture postal cards of daily movements home to America, but to lick the natives into shape!

BELLA.  I’m sure you do comfort me.  Don’t know as Miss Georgiana told you, but my young man’s out there, with Mr.—­Lieutenant Coleman.

STEVEN.  Well, don’t worry.  You just make up your mind the papers are short of news to-night.

BELLA.  Goodness, they won’t be to-morrow with all they’re going to print about this ball!  Say, I’ve a friend whose sister’s a literary lady and writes for the Sunday papers in Buffalo.  She’s got an article in my line, called the “Heads of the Smart Set which was Set at the Grand Duke.”  Ain’t that a cute name for an article?  And it don’t mean their heads either; it means their coffyures, as she says—­she speaks French.  She was born and raised in Niagara Falls, near to Canada, where the language comes natural,—­over the water, as it were!

STEVEN. [Going to her.] I wouldn’t mention this newspaper report to Miss Carley—­it would only needlessly alarm her, perhaps, and spoil her evening.

BELLA.  Oh, I wouldn’t for worlds.

[She moves to the dressing table as GEORGIANA comes in.

GEORGIANA.  Here I am’.  Oh, my dear Steve!  You’ll be late.  You’re not dressed yet.

STEVEN.  All right.  I’m going now—­I was entertaining Miss Shindle till you were ready.

[With, a bow to MISS SHINDLE, STEVEN goes out Right.

BELLA. [Taking her bottles, etc., from a little bag which she carries.] He is a perfect gentleman!

GEORGIANA. [Sitting before the dressing table.] Now come along, Bella!  I only want you to brush my hair; I’ve had a trying evening here, and I’ve a splitting headache.  See if you can take it away and make me look as if I’d never had one.

BELLA. [Tying apron about GEORGIANA’S neck.] I’ll do my best; but I can tell you most of the ladies I know’d be willing to have a headache every blessed minute of their lives if they could look as you do now!

GEORGIANA.  Oh, what blarney, Bella!  I don’t know, somehow I want to be beautiful to-night.

BELLA.  For the Dook?

[Beginning to brush her hair.

GEORGIANA.  No!

BELLA.  For him?

[Pointing at COLEMAN’S photograph with her hair-brush.

GEORGIANA.  Yes. [Drawing the picture toward her.] It was a dear letter I had from him to-night, Bella!  I hope you’ll have as nice a one from Mr. Gootch to-morrow morning.