LADY WALPURGE (archly).  Ah, Mr. Tanqueray, you never forwarded me my photographs; it is nearly three weeks ago since I sent you a cheque for them.

TANQUERAY.  Labby has been poisoning your mind against me.  You shall have a proof to-morrow!

FOOTMAN.  Mr. Gillow Waring.

LADY WALPURGE.  I was so afraid you were not coming.  My husband thought you would give us the slip.

WARING.  How charming your decorations are!  You must give me some ideas for my new yacht, you have such perfect taste.

MALDONADO.  Walpurge! what will you take for that Reynolds?  Or will you swap it for my Velasquez?

WALPURGE.  My dear Maldo, I always do my deals through—­

FOOTMAN.  Mr. Walter Dowdeswell.

WALPURGE.  Through Dowdeswell and Dowdeswell; and you, my dear Maldo, if you want to get rid of your Velasquez, ought to join the National Art Collections Fund, or go and see—­

FOOTMAN.  Mr. Lockett Agnew.  ’Er ’Ighness the Princess Swami.

Enter the PRINCESS SALOME.

LADY JOURNALIST. Fancy having that woman here.  She is not recognised in any decent society, she is nothing but an adventuress; talks such bad French, too.  Have you ever seen her, Doctor Faustus?

FAUST. Yes, I have met her very often in Germany.  Though the Emperor would not receive her at first, she is much admired in Europe.

LADY JOURNALIST (hedging).  I wonder where she gets her frocks?  They must be worth a good deal.

FAUST. From Ricketts and Shannon, if you want to know.

LADY JOURNALIST. Dear Doctor, you know everything!  Let me see:  Ricketts and Shannon is that new place in Regent Street, rather like Lewis and Allenby’s, I suppose?

FAUST. Yes, only different.

IRISH PEER (to FAUST).  Do you think Lady Walpurge will ever get into
Society?

FAUST. Not if she gives her guests such wretched coffee.

LADY JOURNALIST. It’s nothing to her tea.  I’ve never had such bad tea. 
Besides, she cannot get actors or actresses to come to her house.

LADY WALPURGE (overhearing).  I expect Sir Herbert and Lady Beerbohm
Tree here to-night, and perhaps VIOLA. (Sensation.)