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Was it a very brilliant Drawing-Room?
SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.
I think it must have been. I have been more than usually trodden upon.
LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.
Did you catch a glimpse of Aunt Kitty or of any of our people?
SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.
I _heard_ Lady Twombley. What inexhaustible spirit she has! Euphemia, my dear, I confide in you. But for Lady Twombley I could never endure the badgering, the browbeating, the hackling, for which I seem especially selected.
LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.
It's _too_ unjust.
SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.
Oh, I know I am going to have a bad time in the House to-night!
LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.
Don't dwell upon it, uncle.
SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.
Euphemia! [He jumps up almost fiercely.]
LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.
Uncle Julian!
SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.
Certain members of the Opposition are going too far. They regard me as a bull in the arena. They goad me, they pierce me with questions. And then, the lack of journalistic sympathy! Look here!
[He stealthily produces a newspaper from his pocket.]
LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.
[Reproachfully.] Uncle Julian, you've bought a newspaper. You promised aunt you never would.
SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.
H'm! I would have you know, Euphemia, that I have not absolutely broken my pledge to Lady Twombley. I made Harris, the coachman, purchase this.
As you drive home drop it out of your carriage window.
[As LADY EUPHEMIA takes the paper from him her eyes fall upon a paragraph.]
LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.
Oh! do they mean you, uncle?
SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.
Without doubt.
LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.
[Reading.] "The Square Peg!"
SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.
Hush! the servant!
[LADY EUPHEMIA crams the paper into her pocket. PROBYN enters, carrying a small music-easel with some music on it and a flute in a case.]
PROBYN.
Here, Sir Julian?
LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.
Oh, do play, uncle!
SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.
[To PROBYN.] Thank you.
LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.
It will soothe you.
SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.
[Taking the flute from PROBYN.] My only vice, Euphemia. [PROBYN goes out. SIR JULIAN sounds a mournful note.] This little friend has inspired some of my most conspicuous oratorical triumphs. It has furnished me with many a cutting rejoinder for question time. [He sounds another note.] Ah, I know I am going to have such a bad night in the House.
[He plays. MRS. GAYl.u.s.tRE enters with BROOKE.]
LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.
[To herself.] That woman!
MRS. GAYl.u.s.tRE.
[To LADY EUPHEMIA.] How do you do?
[LADY EUPHEMIA stares, inclines her head slightly, and goes to BROOKE.]
