]
ST. OLPHERTS. [Quietly to AGNES.] Not a servant?
AGNES, Oh, no.
ST. OLPHERTS. [Rising promptly.] Good God! I beg your pardon. A friend?
AGNES. Yes.
ST. OLPHERTS. [Looking at GERTRUDE, critically.] Very nice. [Still
looking at GERTRUDE, but speaking to AGNES in undertones.] Married
or--? [Turning to AGNES.] Married or--?
GERTRUDE. [To LUCAS, looking around.] It is draughty at this table.
LUCAS. [Going to the table near the settee, and collecting the writing
materials.] Here--[AGNES joins GERTRUDE.]
ST. OLPHERTS. [Quietly to LUCAS.] Lucas--[LUCAS goes to him.] Who's
that gal?
LUCAS. [To ST. OLPHERTS.] An hotel acquaintance we made in Florence--
Mrs Thorpe.
ST. OLPHERTS. Where's the husband?
LUCAS. A widow.
ST. OLPHERTS. You might--[GERTRUDE advances with the tray.]
LUCAS. Mrs. Thorpe, the Duke of St. Olpherts wishes to be introduced to
you. [GERTRUDE inclines her head to the DUKE. LUCAS places the writing
materials on another table.]
ST. OLPHERTS. [Limping up to GERTRUDE and handling the tray.] I beg to
be allowed to help you. [At the table.] The tray here?
GERTRUDE. Thank you.
ST. OLPHERTS. Oh, how clumsy I am! We think it so gracious of you to
look after our poor friend here who is not quite herself today. [To
AGNES.] Come along, dear lady--everything is prepared for you.
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