Lady Frederick
[With flashing eyes.] Thanks.
Fouldes
But there's something I will say for her. She's not a liar. If she tells me a thing, I don't hesitate for a moment to believe it.
Lady Frederick
It's not a matter of the smallest importance if any of you believe me or not. Be so good as to ring, Charlie.
Mereston
Certainly.
[He rings, and a Servant immediately comes in.
Lady Frederick
Tell my servant that he's to come here at once and bring the despatch-box which is in my dressing-room.
Servant
Yes, miladi.
[Exit.
Fouldes
[Quickly.] I say, what are you going to do?
Lady Frederick
That is absolutely no business of yours.
Fouldes
Be a brick, Betsy, and don't give her those letters.
Lady Frederick
I think I've had enough of this business. I'm proposing to finish with it.
Fouldes
Temper, temper.
Lady Frederick
[Stamping her foot.] Don't say temper to me, Paradine.
[She walks up and down angrily. Paradine sits at the piano and with one finger strums "Rule Britannia."
Mereston
Shut up.
[He takes a book, flings it at his head and misses.
Fouldes
Good shot, sir.
Lady Frederick
I often wonder how you got your reputation for wit, Paradine.
Fouldes
By making a point of laughing heartily at other people's jokes.
[The Footman enters with the despatch-box, which Lady Frederick opens. She takes a bundle of letters from it.
Fouldes
Betsy, Betsy, for heaven's sake don't! Have mercy.
Lady Frederick
Was mercy shown to me? Albert!
Footman
Yes, miladi.
Lady Frederick
You'll go to the proprietor of the hotel and tell him that I propose to leave Monte Carlo to-morrow.
Mereston
[Aghast.] Are you going?
Footman
Very well, my lady.
Lady Frederick