Sybil.  Any afternoon about five.

John.  Much obliged.  And you can teach me the things I don’t know yet, if you’ll be so kind.

Sybil [the impediment becoming more assertive].  If you wish it, I shall do my best.

John.  Thank you, Lady Sybil.  And who knows there may be one or two things I can teach you.

Sybil [it has now become an angel’s hiccough].  Yes, we can help one another.  Good-bye till then.

John.  Good-bye.  Maggie, the ladies are going.

[During this skirmish Maggie has stood apart.  At the mention of her name they glance at one another.  John escorts Sybil, but the Comtesse turns back.]

Comtesse.  Are you, then, the Maggie? [Maggie nods rather defiantly and the Comtesse is distressed.] But if I had known I would not have said those things.  Please forgive an old woman.

Maggie.  It doesn’t matter.

Comtesse.  I—­I dare say it will be all right.  Mademoiselle, if I were you I would not encourage those tete-a-tetes with Lady Sybil.  I am the rude one, but she is the dangerous one; and I am afraid his impudence has attracted her.  Bon voyage, Miss Maggie.

Maggie.  Good-bye—­but I can speak French.  Je parle francais.  Isn’t that right?

Comtesse.  But, yes, it is excellent. [Making things easy for her] C’est tres bien.

Maggie.  Je me suis embrouillee—­la derniere fois.

Comtesse.  Good!  Shall I speak more slowly?

Maggie.  No, no.  Nonon, non, faster, faster.

Comtesse.  J’admire votre courage!

Maggie.  Je comprends chaque mot.

Comtesse.  Parfait!  Bravo!

Maggie.  Voila!

Comtesse.  Superbe!

[She goes, applauding; and Maggie has a moment of elation, which however has passed before John returns for his hat.]

Maggie.  Have you more speaking to do, John? [He is somehow in high good-humour.]

John.  I must run across and address the Cowcaddens Club. [He sprays his throat with a hand-spray.] I wonder if I am vulgar, Maggie?

Maggie.  You are not, but I am.

John.  Not that I can see.

Maggie.  Look how overdressed I am, John.  I knew it was too showy when I ordered it, and yet I could not resist the thing.  But I will tone it down, I will.  What did you think of Lady Sybil?

John.  That young woman had better be careful.  She’s a bit of a besom,
Maggie.

Maggie.  She’s beautiful, John.

John.  She has a neat way of stretching herself.  For playing with she would do as well as another.

[She looks at him wistfully.]

Maggie.  You couldn’t stay and have a talk for a few minutes?