LADY FILSON.

[_Arranging her skirt and settling herself majestically._] Of this we
may be perfectly sure; when my son finds that he has been misled,
purposely or unintentionally, he will be only too ready--_too_
ready----

SIR RANDLE.

[_Leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes._] That goes without
saying, Winifred. A gentleman--an English gentleman----

BERTRAM.

[_Who is watching the vestibule door--over his shoulder, snappishly._]
Oh, of course, father, if it turns out that I've been sold, I'll eat
humble-pie abjectly.

ROOPE.

[_Shaking a finger at_ BERTRAM.] Ha, ha! I hope you've brought a
voracious appetite with you, dear excellent friend.

BERTRAM.

[_To_ ROOPE, _exasperated._] Look heah, Mr. Roope----!

[_The vestibule door opens and_ JOHN _announces_
DUNNING.

JOHN.

Mr. Dunning.

[DUNNING _enters and_ JOHN _retires._ MR. ALFRED DUNNING
_is a spruce, middle-aged, shrewd-faced man with an
affable but rather curt manner. He is in his hat and
overcoat._

DUNNING.

[_To_ BERTRAM.] Haven't kept you long, have I? I just had a cup o'
cocoa--[_He checks himself on seeing so large an assembly, removes his
hat, and includes everybody in a summary bow._] Evening.

BERTRAM.

[_To_ DUNNING.] Larger gathering than you expected. [_Indicating the
various personages by a glance._] Sir Randle and Lady Filson--my father
and mother----

DUNNING.

[_To_ SIR RANDLE _and_ LADY FILSON.] Evening.

BERTRAM.

My sister, Madame de Chaumie----

DUNNING.

[_To_ OTTOLINE.] Evening.

BERTRAM.

Mr. Roope--Mr. Mackworth----

DUNNING.

[_To them._] Evening.

[SIR RANDLE, LADY FILSON, _and_ ROOPE, _looking at_
DUNNING _out of the corners of their eyes, acknowledge
the introduction by a slight movement._ PHILIP _nods
unpleasantly._ OTTOLINE, _with a stony countenance, also
eyes_ DUNNING _askance, and gives the barest possible
inclination of her head on being