t be crumbling to pieces. All except the
Amirtollah kutcha road. I don't believe that could crumble till the Day
of Judgment.

He. You think so? What is the mood now?

She. I can't tell. How cold it is! Let us get on quickly.

He. 'Better walk a little. Stop your jhampanies and get out. What's the
matter with you this evening, dear?

She. Nothing. You must grow accustomed to my ways. If I'm boring you I
can go home. Here's Captain Congleton coming, I daresay he'll be willing
to escort me.

He. Goose! Between us, too! Damn Captain Congleton.

She. Chivalrous Knight. Is it your habit to swear much in talking? It
jars a little, and you might swear at me.

He. My angel! I didn't know what I was saying; and you changed so
quickly that I couldn't follow. I'll apologise in dust and ashes.

She. There'll be enough of those later on Good-night, Captain Congleton.
Going to the singing-quadrilles already? What dances am I giving you
next week? No! You must have written them down wrong. Five and Seven, I
said. If you've made a mistake, I certainly don't intend to suffer for
it. You must alter your programme.

He. I thought you told me that you had not been going out much this
season?

She. Quite true, but when I do I dance with Captain Congleton. He dances
very nicely.

He. And sit out with him, I suppose?

She. Yes. Have you any objection? Shall I stand under the chandelier in
future?

He. What does he talk to you about?

She. What do men talk about when they sit out?

He. Ugh! Don't! Well, now I'm up, you must dispense with the fascinating
Congleton for a while. I don't like him.

She (after a pause). Do you know what you have said?

He 'Can't say that I do exactly. I'm not in the best of tempers.

She So I see, and feel. My true and faithful lover, where is your
'eternal constancy,' 'unalterable trust,' and 'reverent devotion'? I
remember those phrases; you seem to have forgotten them. I mention a
man's name.

He. A good deal more than that.

She. Well, speak to him about a dance perhaps the last dance that I
shall ever dance in my life before I, before I go away; and you at once
distrust and insult me.

He. I never said a word.

She. How much did you imply? Guy, is this amount of confidence to be our
stock to start the new life on?

He. No, of course not. I didn't mean that. On my word and honour, I
didn't. Let it pass, dear. Please let it pass.

She. This once yes and a second time, and again a