FANNY [_following him to door_]. And tell them I shall want the best
bedroom got ready in case Mr. Newte is able to stay the night. I’ve done
it. [_She goes to piano_, _dashes into the_ “_Merry Widow Waltz_,” _or
some other equally inappropriate but well-known melody_, _and then there
enters Newte_, _shown in by Bennet_. _Newte is a cheerful person_,
_attractively dressed in clothes suggestive of a successful bookmaker_.
_He carries a white pot hat and tasselled cane_. _His gloves are large
and bright_. _He is smoking an enormous cigar_.]
BENNET. Mr. Newte.
FANNY [_she springs up and greets him_. _They are evidently good
friends_]. Hulloa, George!
NEWTE. Hulloa, Fan—I beg your pardon, Lady Bantock. [_Laughs_.] Was
just passing this way—
FANNY [_cutting him short_]. Yes. So nice of you to call.
NEWTE. I said to myself—[_His eye catches Bennet_; _he stops_.] Ah,
thanks. [_He gives Bennet his hat and stick_, _but Bennet does not seem
satisfied_. _He has taken from the table a small china tray_. _This he
is holding out to Newte_, _evidently for Newte to put something in it_.
_But what_? _Newte is puzzled_, _he glances at Fanny_. _The idea
strikes him that perhaps it is a tip Bennet is waiting for_. _It seems
odd_, _but if it be the custom—he puts his hand to his trousers pocket_.]
BENNET. The smoking-room is on the ground-floor.
NEWTE. Ah, my cigar. I beg your pardon. I couldn’t understand. [_He
puts it on the tray—breaks into a laugh_.]
BENNET. Thank you. Her ladyship is suffering from a headache. If I
might suggest—a little less boisterousness. [_He goes out_.]
NEWTE [_he watches him out_]. I say, your Lord Chamberlain’s a bit of a
freezer!
FANNY. Yes. Wants hanging out in the sun. How did you manage to get
here so early? [_She sits_.]
NEWTE. Well, your telegram rather upset me. I thought—correct etiquette
for me to sit down here, do you think?
FANNY. Don’t ask me. Got enough new tricks of my own to learn.
[_Laughs_.] Should chance it, if I were you.
NEWTE. Such a long time since I was at Court. [_He sits_.] Yes, I was
up at five o’clock this morning.
FANNY [_laughs_]. Oh, you poor fellow!
NEWTE. Caught the first train to Melton, and came on by cart. What’s
the trouble?
FANNY. A good deal. Why didn’t you tell me what I was marrying?