[MaC] Speculation in the Lounge

[Mel Mason]

> Then she moved towards the settee and the contents of
> her bag.
>
> Nicola, who was busy scooping the various and sundry
> items back into the bag, began apologizing: "I'm
> terribly sorry, Mrs. Fitzroy, it was my idea. I know
> it's the height of rudeness to go through someone's
> bag."
>
> Her husband took a step towards her.  "Leave that!" he
> ordered.
>
> Nicola turned to look at Marty Fitzroy with a look of
> utter disdain and contempt. She fastened Esme's
> handbag and held it out to the woman. "Pay no
> attention to that wretched man, Mrs. Fitzroy. Here you
> are, darling, and again, I'm so very sorry."
>

Esme seized the bag and clutched it to her.

Arabella stepped towards them. She had had rather enough of Marty Fitzroy
bullying people, especially his wife. No wonder the woman was so nervous.
"Really, Mr. Fitzroy," she said, in the voice of the Countess she had been
for so many years, "that is hardly the tone to use after your wife has just
swooned." Turning to Esme, she said, in a softer tone, "My dear, under the
circumstances, it's a wonder more people aren't feeling faint."

"I'll not be spoken to like that in my own 'ome!" roared Marty Fitzroy, and 
he took a step tiwards Arabella, her fist clenching.

> "Have we missed much?" said a voice from the service door.  It was Oswald
> Skeffington-Nottle, with Marion Mauberley by his side.
>