Quality Street Part 10

MISS SUSAN. How marvellous! Oh, Phoebe.

PHOEBE. Perhaps I should not do it, but it is so easy. I have but to put on the old wedding-gown and tumble my curls out of the cap.

(_Pa.s.sionately._) Sister, am I as changed as he says I am?

MISS SUSAN. You almost frighten me.

(_The band is heard._)

PHOEBE. The music is calling to us. Susan, I will celebrate Waterloo in a little ball of my own. See, my curls have begun to dance, they are so anxious to dance. One dance, Susan, to Phoebe of the ringlets, and then I will put her away in her box and never look at her again.

Ma'am, may I have the honour? Nay, then I shall dance alone. (_She dances._) Oh, Susan, I almost wish I were a goose.

(_Presently_ PATTY _returns. She gazes at_ MISS PHOEBE _dancing._)

PATTY. Miss Phoebe!

PHOEBE (_still dancing_). Not Miss Phoebe, Patty. I am not myself to-night, I am--let me see, I am my niece.

PATTY (_in a whisper to_ SUSAN). But Miss Susan, 'tis Captain Brown.

MISS SUSAN. Oh, stop, Phoebe, stop!

PATTY. Nay, let him see her!

(MISS SUSAN _hurries scandalised into the other room as_ VALENTINE _enters._)

VALENTINE. I ventured to come back because---- (PHOEBE _turns to him--he stops abruptly, bewildered._) I beg your pardon, madam, I thought it was Miss Susan or Miss Phoebe.

(_His mistake surprises her, but she is in a wild mood and curtsies, then turns away and smiles. He stares as if half-convinced._)

PATTY (_with an inspiration_). 'Tis my mistresses' niece, sir; she is on a visit here.

(_He is deceived. He bows gallantly, then remembers the object of his visit. He produces a bottle of medicine._)

VALENTINE. Patty, I obtained this at the apothecary's for Miss Phoebe's headache. It should be taken at once.

PATTY. Miss Phoebe is lying down, sir.

VALENTINE. Is she asleep?

PATTY (_demurely_). No, sir, I think she be wide awake.

VALENTINE. It may soothe her.

PHOEBE. Patty, take it to Aunt Phoebe at once.

(_PATTY goes out sedately with the medicine._)

VALENTINE (_after a little awkwardness, which_ PHOEBE _enjoys_).

Perhaps I may venture to present myself, Miss--Miss----?

PHOEBE. Miss--Livvy, sir.

VALENTINE. I am Captain Brown, Miss Livvy, an old friend of both your aunts.

PHOEBE (_curtsying_). I have heard them speak of a dashing Mr. Brown.

But I think it cannot be the same.

VALENTINE (_a little chagrined_). Why not, ma'am?

PHOEBE. I ask your pardon, sir.

VALENTINE, I was sure you must be related. Indeed, for a moment the likeness--even the voice----

PHOEBE (_pouting_). La, sir, you mean I am like Aunt Phoebe. Every one says so--and indeed 'tis no compliment.

VALENTINE. 'Twould have been a compliment once. You must be a daughter of the excellent Mr. James Throssel who used to reside at Great Buckland.

PHOEBE. He is still there.

VALENTINE. A tedious twenty miles from here, as I remember.

PHOEBE. La! I have found the journey a monstrous quick one, sir.

(_The band is again heard. She runs to the window to peep between the curtains, and his eyes follow her admiringly._)

VALENTINE (_eagerly_). Miss Livvy, you go to the ball?

PHOEBE. Alas, sir, I have no card.

VALENTINE. I have two cards for your aunts. As Miss Phoebe has the headache, your Aunt Susan must take you to the ball.

PHOEBE. Oh, oh! (_Her feet move to the music._) Sir, I cannot control my feet.

VALENTINE. They are already at the ball, ma'am; you must follow them.

PHOEBE (_with all the pent-up mischief of ten years_). Oh, sir, do you think some pretty gentleman might be partial to me at the ball?

VALENTINE. If that is your wish----

PHOEBE. I should love, sir, to inspire frenzy in the breast of the male. (_With sudden collapse._) I dare not go--I dare not.

VALENTINE. Miss Livvy, I vow----

(_He turns eagerly to_ MISS SUSAN, _who enters._)

I have ventured, Miss Susan, to introduce myself to your charming niece.

(MISS SUSAN _would like to run away again, but the wicked_ MISS PHOEBE _is determined to have her help._)