_Spurr._ Well, if you'd only tell me what I ought to _do_!
[Illustration: "My keys! Why, what do you want _them_ for?"]
_Lady Maisie._ Surely that's very simple; do _nothing_; just take everything quietly as it comes, and you _can't_ make any mistakes.
_Spurr. (anxiously)._ And you don't think anybody'll see anything odd in my being here like this?
_Lady Maisie (to herself)._ I'm only too afraid they _will_! (_Aloud._) You really _must_ have a little self-confidence. Just remember that no one here could produce anything a millionth part as splendid as your _Andromeda_! It's _too_ distressing to see you so _appallingly_ humble! (_To herself._) There's Captain THICKNESSE over there--he MIGHT come and rescue me; but he doesn't seem to care to!
_Spurr._ Well, you _do_ put some heart into me, Lady MAISIE. I feel equal to the lot of 'em now!
_Pilliner_ (_to_ Miss SPELWANE). Is _that_ the Poet? Why, but I say--he's a _fraud_! Where's his matted head? He's not a bit ragged, or rusty either. And why don't he dabble? Don't seem to know what to do with his hands quite, though, _does_ he?
_Miss Spelwane (coldly)._ He knows how to do some very exquisite poetry with _one_ of them, at all events. I've been reading it, and _I_ think it perfectly marvellous!
_Pill._ I see what it is, you're preparing to turn his matted head for him? I warn you you'll only waste your sweetness. That pretty little Lady MAISIE'S annexed _him_. Can't you content yourself with _one_ victim?
_Miss Spelw._ Don't be so utterly idiotic! (_To herself._) If MAISIE imagines she's to be allowed to monopolise the only man in the room worth talking to!----
_Captain Thicknesse_ (_to himself, as he watches_ Lady MAISIE). She is lookin' prettier than ever! Forgotten me. Used to be friendly enough once, though, till her mother warned me off. Seems to have a good deal to say to that Poet fellow; saw her colour up from here the moment he came near; he's _begun_ Petrarchin', hang him! I'd cross over and speak to her if I could catch her eye. Don't know, though; what's the use? She wouldn't thank me for interruptin'. She likes these clever chaps; don't signify to her if they _are_ bounders, I suppose. _I_'m not intellectual. Gad, I wish I'd gone back to Aldershot!