[MaC] Speculation in the Lounge

[Ree Moorhead Pruehs]

At 07:41 PM 12/27/2004, you wrote:
>>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.

"Is there somewhere else you'd =prefer= to be spoken to in such a manner?" 
Vangie inquired, her voice frosty.

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