Page:Paradise found; or, The superman found out, in three acts, by Allen Upward (IA paradisefoundors00upwarich).pdf/102

90 PARADISE FOUND PRIME MINISTRESS. Oh, then, I'm going !

LADY'S MAID. You shall directly. ( To VICE- ROY ) Her Highness has been dreading the prospect of having him for her husband.

VICEROY. ( Kindly, to PRIME MINISTRESS ) You needn't be afraid, my dear. I have strong grounds for thinking that the illness from which he is suffering will shortly terminate fatally.

PRIME MINISTRESS. ( Disappointed, to LADY'S MAID ) You promised me you would ask the Vice- roy to kill him.

LADY'S MAID. Hush ! That is what His Vice- Majesty means.

PRIME MINISTRESS. ( To VICEROY ) Oh, thank you. Do, please, tell me how you do it.

VICEROY. If you are sure that it won't frighten you. This button — ( The PRIME MINISTRESS and LADY'S MAID lean forward to peer round the corner of the table ) — is connected with the chair in which you are sitting. ( The LADY'S MAID withdraws her hands, and jumps back with a scream. Her mistress remains absorbed in the explanation. ) I have only to press the button, so ( Touches it with his finger ), and you go off.

PRIME MINISTRESS. ( Much delighted ) How very, very funny ! Do let me see you do it.

VICEROY. I thought you objected to wait for the Marquis.

PRIME MINISTRESS. Oh, never mind him. ( To LADY'S MAID ) Quick, go and fetch a Comrade.

MARCHIONESS. ( In tones of mournful anxiety ) Will there be enough electricity for two ?