Fouldes
Still it'll be rather a shock to Charlie when he hears that this modest flower whom he trembles to adore has…
Lady Frederick
Very nearly eloped with his own uncle. But you won't tell him that story because you hate looking a perfect ass.
Fouldes
Madam, when duty calls, Paradine Fouldes consents even to look ridiculous. But I was thinking of the Bellingham affair.
Lady Frederick
Ah, of course, there's the Bellingham affair. I'd forgotten it.
Fouldes
Nasty little business that, eh?
Lady Frederick
Horrid.
Fouldes
Don't you think it would choke him off?
Lady Frederick
I think it very probable.
Fouldes
Well, hadn't you better cave in?
Lady Frederick
[Ringing the bell.] Ah, but you've not seen my cards yet. [A servant enters.] Tell my servant to bring down the despatch-box which is on my writing-table.
SERVANT.
Yes, miladi.
[Exit.
Fouldes
What's up now?
Lady Frederick
Well, four or five years ago I was staying at this hotel, and Mimi la Bretonne had rooms here.
Fouldes
I never heard of the lady, but her name suggests that she had an affectionate nature.
Lady Frederick
She was a little singer at the Folies Bergères, and she had the loveliest emeralds I ever saw.
Fouldes
But you don't know Maud's.
Lady Frederick
The late Lord Mereston had a passion for emeralds. He always thought they were such pure stones.
Fouldes
[Quickly.] I beg your pardon?
Lady Frederick
Well, Mimi fell desperately ill, and there was no one to look after her. Of course the pious English ladies in the hotel wouldn't go within a mile of her, so I went and did the usual thing, don't you know.
[Lady Frederick's man comes in with a smalldespatch-box which he places on a table. Hegoes out. Lady Frederick as she talks,unlocks it.
Fouldes
Thank God I'm a bachelor, and no ministering angel ever smoothes my pillow when I particularly want to be left alone.
Lady Frederick
I nursed her more or less through the whole illness, and afterwards she fancied she owed me her worthless little life. She wanted to give me the precious emeralds, and when I refused was so heart-broken that I said I'd take one thing if I might.
Fouldes
And what was that?
Lady Frederick
A bundle of letters. I'd seen the address on the back of the envelope, and then I recognised the writing. I thought they'd be much safer in my hands than in hers. [She takes them out of the box and hands them to Paradine.] Here they are.
[He looks and starts violently.
Fouldes