Scene: Drawing-room of the Hotel Splendide at Monte Carlo. A large, handsomely furnished room, with doors right and left, and French windows at the back leading to a terrace. Through these is seen the starry southern night. On one side is a piano, on the other a table with papers neatly laid out on it. There is a lighted stove.
Lady Mereston, in evening dress, rather magnificently attired, is reading the papers. She is a handsome woman of forty. She puts down the paper impatiently and rings the bell. A servant answers. He has a French accent.
Lady Mereston
Did Mr. Paradine Fouldes come this evening?
Servant
Yes, miladi.
Lady Mereston
Is he in the hotel now?
Servant
Yes, miladi.
Lady Mereston
Will you send some one up to his room to say I'm waiting to see him?
Servant
Pardon, miladi, but the gentleman say 'e was on no account to be disturbed.
Lady Mereston
Nonsense. Mr. Fouldes is my brother. You must go to him immediately.
Servant
Mr. Fouldes his valet is in the 'all. Will your ladyship speak with him?
Lady Mereston
Mr. Fouldes is more difficult to see than a cabinet minister. Send his servant to me.
Servant
Very good, miladi.
[Exit Servant, and presently Thompson, Mr. Fouldes' man, comes in.
Thompson
Your ladyship wished to see me.
Lady Mereston
Good evening, Thompson. I hope you had a comfortable journey.
Thompson
Yes, my lady. Mr. Fouldes always has a comfortable journey.
Lady Mereston
Was the sea calm when you crossed?
Thompson
Yes, my lady. Mr. Fouldes would look upon it as a great liberty if the sea was not calm.
Lady Mereston
Will you tell Mr. Fouldes that I should like to see him at once?
Thompson
[Looking at his watch.] Excuse me, my lady, but Mr. Fouldes said no one was to disturb him till ten o'clock. It's more than my place is worth to go to him at five minutes to.
Lady Mereston
But what on earth's he doing?
Thompson
I don't know at all, my lady.
Lady Mereston
How long have you been with Mr. Fouldes?
Thompson
Twenty-five years, my lady.
Lady Mereston
I should have thought you knew how he spent every minute of his day.
[Paradine comes in. He is a very well-dressedman of forty-odd. Self-possessed, worldly, urbane. He is never at a loss or put outof countenance. He overhears Lady Mereston's last words.
Fouldes
When I engaged Thompson I told him the first thing he must learn was the very difficult feat of keeping his eyes open and shut at one and the same time.
Lady Mereston
My dear Paradine, I've been waiting to see you for the last two hours. How tiresome you are.
Fouldes
You may give me a kiss, Maud, but don't be rough.
Lady Mereston
[Kissing his cheek.] You ridiculous creature. You really might have come to see me at once.
Fouldes
My dear, you cannot grudge me a little repose after a long and tedious journey. I had to repair the ravages to my person caused by twenty-seven hours in the train.
Lady Mereston
Don't be so absurd. I'm sure your person is never ravished.
Fouldes
Ravaged, my dear, ravaged. I should look upon it as an affectation at my age if I were not a little upset by the journey from London to Monte Carlo.
Lady Mereston
I'll be bound you ate a very hearty dinner.
Fouldes
Thompson, did I eat any dinner at all?
Thompson
[Stolidly.] Soup, sir.
Fouldes
I remember looking at it.
Thompson
Fish, sir.
Fouldes
I trifled with a fried sole.
Thompson
Bouchées à la Reine, sir.
Fouldes
They have left absolutely no impression upon me.
Thompson
Tournedos à la Splendide.
Fouldes
They were distinctly tough, Thompson. You must lodge a complaint in the proper quarter.
Thompson
Roast pheasant, sir.
Fouldes
Yes, yes, now you mention it, I do remember the pheasant.
Thompson
Chocolate ice, sir.
Fouldes
It was too cold, Thompson. It was distinctly too cold.
Lady Mereston
My dear Paradine, I think you dined uncommonly well.
Fouldes
I have reached an age when love, ambition and wealth pale into insignificance beside a really well-grilled steak. That'll do, Thompson.
Thompson
Very well, sir.
Lady Mereston
It's too bad of you, Paradine, to devour a substantial meal when I'm eating out my very heart with anxiety.
Fouldes
It seems to agree with you very well. I've not seen you look better for years.
Lady Mereston
For heaven's sake be serious and listen to me.
Fouldes
I started immediately I got your telegram. Pray tell me what I can do for you?
Lady Mereston
My dear Paradine, Charlie's head over ears in love.
Fouldes
It's not altogether an unexpected condition for a young man of twenty-two. If the lady's respectable, marry him and resign yourself to being a dowager. If she's not, give her five hundred pounds and pack her off to Paris or London or wherever else she habitually practises her arts and graces.