FOULDES.
Why not?
LADY FREDERICK.
My dear Paradine, I don't want to commit suicide by sheer boredom.
There's only one thing in the world more insufferable than being in love.
FOULDES.
And what is that, pray?
LADY FREDERICK.
Why, having some one in love with you.
FOULDES.
I've suffered from it all my life.
LADY FREDERICK.
Think of living up to the ideal Charlie has of me. My hair would turn a hydrogen yellow in a week. And then to be so desperately adored as all that--oh, it's so dull! I should have to wear a mask all day long. I could never venture to be natural in case I shocked him. And notwithstanding all my efforts I should see the illusions tumbling about his ears one by one till he realised I was no ethereal goddess, but a very ordinary human woman neither better nor worse than anybody else.
FOULDES.
Your maxim appears to be, marry any one you like except the man that's in love with you.
LADY FREDERICK.
Ah, but don't you think I might find a man who loved me though he knew me through and through? I'd far rather that he saw my faults and forgave them than that he thought me perfect.
FOULDES.
But how d'you know you've choked the boy off for good?
LADY FREDERICK.
I took good care. I wanted to cure him. If it had been possible I would have shown him my naked soul. But I couldn't do that, so I let him see....
FOULDES.
[_Interrupting._] What!
LADY FREDERICK.
[_Laughing._] No, not quite. I had a dressing-gown on and other paraphernalia. But I made him come here when I wasn't made up, and he sat by while I rouged my cheeks.
FOULDES.
And the young fool thought there was nothing more in you than a carefully prepared complexion?
LADY FREDERICK.
He was very nice about it. But I think he was rather relieved when I refused him.
[_There is a knock at the door._]
GERALD.
[_Outside._] May we come in?
LADY FREDERICK.
Yes do.
_Enter_ GERALD _and_ ROSE _and the_ ADMIRAL.
GERALD.
[_Excitedly._] I say, it's all right. The Admiral's come down like a real brick. I've told him everything.
LADY FREDERICK.
What do you mean? Good-morning, dear Admiral.
ADMIRAL.
Good-morning.
GERALD.
I've made a clean breast of it. I talked it over with Rosie.
ROSE.
And we went to papa together.
GERALD.
And told him that I owed Montgomerie nine hundred pounds.
ROSE.
And we thought papa would make an awful scene.
GERALD.