Page:Harper's New Monthly Magazine - v109.djvu/973



—The morning room in Mr. Effingham's town house.

Enter Eve, deeply veiled, followed by Wallis.

Eve (tailing a seat). Very well; I will wait.

Wallis. But Mr. Effingham is not at home; he went out shortly after two o'clock.

Eve. Then he must have returned shortly before three, for there are his hat and gloves, his cigarette-case and his regular morning carnation. It is impossible that Mr. Effingham should have left the house without his carnation.

Wallis (stolidly). Mr. Effingham is not at home.

Godfrey (from without). Wallis!

[A bell rings.

Eve. I think some one is calling—perhaps Mr. Effingham himself.

Wallis (impassively). Mr. Effingham is not at home.

Godfrey (from without). Wallis, I say! Wallis! Confound the fellow! is he deaf, or dead, or—

[The bell rings violently several times.

Eve. Mr. Effingham is growing impatient. You had better not keep him waiting.

Wallis (speaking aside). Yes, sir; directly, sir. [Holding open the door.] Not at home, if you please.

Eve. One moment.

[She rises and unveils.

Wallis. Mrs. Effingham!

Eve. Now announce me at once. You may say to Mr. Effingham that I have called upon a matter of business, and that I shall not detain him longer than is necessary to state it.

Wallis. Thank you, ma'am. Shall I show you into the library?

Eve. No; I will wait here.

[Wallis hesitates, then bows and exit.