_Mrs. W. D._ (_audibly, as she flounces out_). If they suppose _I_'m going to pay half-a-crown for the privilege of being _fleeced_----!
_Footman_ (_on steps, sotto voce, to confrère_). "Fleeced"! that's a good 'un, eh? _She_ ain't brought much wool in with _her!_
_His Confrère._ On'y what's stuffed inside of her ear.
[_They resume their former impassive dignity._
IN THE VENETIAN GALLERY--_where the Bazaar is being held_.
_A Loyal Old Lady_ (_at the top of her voice--to Stall-keeper_). Which of 'em's the Princess, my dear, eh? It's her I paid _my_ money to see.
_The Stall-keeper_ (_in a dismayed whisper_). Ssh! Not _quite_ so loud! There--just opposite--petunia bow in her bonnet--selling kittens.
_The L. O. L._ (_planting herself on a chair_). So _that's_ her! Well, she _is_ dressed plain--for a Royalty--but looks _pleasant_ enough. I wouldn't mind taking one o' them kittings off her Royal 'Ighness myself, if they was going at all reasonable. But there, I expect, the cats _'ere_ is meat for my masters, so to speak; and you see, my dear, 'aving the promise of a tortoise-shell tom from the lady as keeps the Dairy next door, whenever----
[_She finds, with surprise, that her confidences are not encouraged._
_Miss St. Leger de Mayne_ (_persuasively, to_ Mrs. NIBBLER). Do let me show you some of this exquisite work, all embroidered entirely by hand, you see!
_Mrs. Nibbler_ (_edging away_). Lovely--_quite_ lovely; but I think--a--I'll just take a look round before I----
_Miss de M._ If there is any _particular_ thing you were looking for, perhaps _I_ could----
_Mrs. N._ (_becoming confidential_). Well, I _did_ think if I could come across a nice _sideboard-cloth_----
[Illustration: "You have lofty ambitions and the artistic temperament."]
_Miss de M._ (_to herself_). What on earth's a sideboard-cloth? (_Aloud._) Why, I've the very _thing!_ See--all worked in Russian stitch!
_Mrs. N._ (_dubiously_). I thought they were always quite plain. And what's that queer sort of flap-thing for?
_Miss de M._ Oh, _that?_ That's--a--to cover up the spoons, and forks, and things; quite the latest fashion, _now_, you know.
_Mrs. N._ (_with self-assertion_). I _have_ noticed it at several dinner-parties I've been to in society lately, certainly. Still, I'm not sure that----