I've implored her to let me lend her the money, and she absolutely refuses. You see, she's kept nothing from me at all.
LADY MERESTON.
My dear Charlie, it's a very old dodge to confess what doesn't matter in order to conceal what does.
MERESTON.
What do you mean, mother?
LADY MERESTON.
Lady Frederick has told you nothing of the Bellingham affair?
MERESTON.
Why should she?
LADY MERESTON.
It is surely expedient you should know that the woman you have some idea of marrying escaped the divorce court only by the skin of her teeth.
MERESTON.
I don't believe that, mother.
FOULDES.
Remember that you're talking to your respected parent, my boy.
MERESTON.
I'm sorry that my mother should utter base and contemptible libels on--my greatest friend.
LADY MERESTON.
You may be quite sure that I say nothing which I can't prove.
MERESTON.
I won't listen to anything against Lady Frederick.
LADY MERESTON.
But you must.
MERESTON.
Are you quite indifferent to the great pain you cause me?
LADY MERESTON.
I can't allow you to marry a woman who's hopelessly immoral.
MERESTON.
Mother, how dare you say that?
FOULDES.
This isn't the sort of thing I much like, but hadn't you better hear the worst at once?
MERESTON.
Very well. But if my mother insists on saying things, she must say them in Lady Frederick's presence.
LADY MERESTON.
That I'm quite willing to do.
MERESTON.
Good.
[_He rings the bell. A servant enters._
FOULDES.
You'd better take care, Maudie. Lady Frederick's a dangerous woman to play the fool with.
MERESTON.
[_To the servant._] Go to Lady Frederick Berolles and say Lord Mereston is extremely sorry to trouble her ladyship, but would be very much obliged if she'd come to the drawing-room for two minutes.
SERVANT.
Very well, my lord.
[_Exit._
FOULDES.
What are you going to do, Maud?
LADY MERESTON.
I knew there was a letter in existence in Lady Frederick's handwriting which proved all I've said about her. I've moved heaven and earth to get hold of it, and it came this morning.
FOULDES.