The Cabinet Minister Part 72

MRS. GAYl.u.s.tRE.

Of course; conceal nothing from your parent.

MACPHAIL.

And mother agrees with me----

MRS. GAYl.u.s.tRE.

Yes?

MACPHAIL.

That it would be just a risky matter to correspond with a widow lady.

MRS. GAYl.u.s.tRE.

Oh!

MACPHAIL.

[Producing MRS. GAYl.u.s.tRE's card from his stocking.] So I'm thinking I sha'n't require this address.

MRS. GAYl.u.s.tRE.

Ah! [She slaps his face violently and runs out.]

EVERYBODY.

Oh!

MACPHAIL.

Mother!

[LADY MACPHAIL embraces him. The music of the Strathspey is heard again.]

[EGIDIA enters.]

EGIDIA.

The Strathspey. Come into the ball-room. What has happened?

LADY TWOMBLEY.

I can't enter the ball-room again to-night!

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

But you must dance the Strathspey.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Must I? Dance then! [They take their places for the dance.] Pa!

Valentine, Imogen! Brooke, Effie! Keith, Egidia! Lady Macphail, Sir Colin! Dance! Dance with foolish, thoughtless, weak-headed Kitty Twombley for the last time, for to-morrow she becomes a sober, wise, happy, and contented woman! Dance!

[They dance the Strathspey and Reel--SIR JULIAN with LADY TWOMBLEY, DRUMDURRIS with EGIDIA, BROOKE with LADY EUPHEMIA, VALENTINE with IMOGEN, LADY MACPHAIL with MACPHAIL. The DOWAGER sits apart gloomily.]

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

[To LADY TWOMBLEY while dancing.] You've been indiscreet again, Kitty.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Finally, Julian, finally!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

No more extravagance?

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Never! Never!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

And you resign yourself to a peaceful, rural life?

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Oh!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Promise me--promise me!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Ha, ha! Dance, pa, dance!

THE END.