es, and_ BERTRAM _stares at him resentfully._] dear excellent
friends, if I may be permitted to make an observation----

PHILIP.

[_To_ ROOPE.] Go ahead, old man.

ROOPE.

In my opinion, it would be a thousand pities not to see Mr. Dunning
to-night, and have done with him. [_Cheerfully._] The fish is
ruined--we must resign ourselves to that; [_sitting in the chair on the
extreme left_] but the other dishes, if the cook is fairly
competent----

SIR RANDLE.

[_Advancing._] Mr. Roope's opinion is my opinion also. [_Ponderously._]
As to whether Lady Filson and my daughter should withdraw into an
adjoining room----

LADY FILSON.

_I_ feel with Philip; we couldn't sit down to dinner with this cloud
hanging over us----

SIR RANDLE.

[_Sitting in the chair by the smoking-table._] Impossible! I must be
frank. Impossible!

ROOPE.

Dear Madame de Chaumie will pardon me for differing with her, but you
can't very well ignore even a fellow of this stamp--[_glancing at_
BERTRAM] especially, if I understand aright, my excellent friend over
there still persists----

BERTRAM.

[_Morosely._] Yes, you do understand aright, Roope. I've every
confidence in Dunning, I mean t'say----

PHILIP.

[_Turning away, angrily._] Oh----!

LADY FILSON.

[_Severely._] Bertie----!

SIR RANDLE.

Bertram, my _boy_----!

[_The bell rings. There is a short silence, and then_
BERTRAM _rises and pulls down his waistcoat
portentously._

BERTRAM.

Here he is.

OTTOLINE.

[_To_ LADY FILSON, _in a low voice._] Mother----?

LADY FILSON.

[_To_ PHILIP.] Do _you_ wish us to withdraw, Philip?

PHILIP.

[_Sitting at the writing-table._] Not at all, Lady Filson. [_Switching
on the light of the library-lamp, sternly._] On the contrary, I should
like you both to remain.

LADY FILSON.

[_To_ OTTOLINE.] Otto dear----?

OTTOLINE.

[_Adjusting a comb in her hair._] Oh, certainly, mother, I'll stay.