vil does
Filson mean by gossiping about me at a club--me and my relations with
Madame de Chaumie!

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Advancing a little._] Ah, don't be angry! The champagne he'd drunk
had loosened his tongue. And then, I'm a friend of the family----

PHILIP.

Infernal puppy!

SIR TIMOTHY.

Referring to _Filson_?

PHILIP.

Of course.

Sir Timothy.

[_Mildly._] Well, whether young Filson's a puppy or not, _now_ perhaps
you begin to appreciate my motive for intruding on you?

PHILIP.

[_Halting._] Hardly.

SIR TIMOTHY.

You don't! [_Rumpling his hair._] I'll try to make it plainer to you.
[_Behind the smoking-table._] Er--will I smoke one of your
cigarettes?----

PHILIP.

[_Frigidly polite._] Please.

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Taking a cigarette from the box on the table._] Mr. Mackworth, if
Filson's prognostications as to the result of the quarrel between you
and his sister are fulfilled, it's my intention, after a decent
interval, to renew my appeal to her to marry me. [_Striking a match._]
Is that clear?

PHILIP.

Perfectly. [_Stiffly._] But all the same, I'm still at a loss----

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Lighting his cigarette._] At a loss, are you! [_Warmly._] You're at a
loss to understand that I'm not the sort of man who'd steal a march
upon another where a woman's concerned, and take advantage of his
misfortunes in a dirty manner! [_Coming to_ PHILIP.] Mackworth--I'll
drop the Mister, if you've no objection--Mackworth, I promise you I
won't move a step till I have your assurance that your split with
Madame de Chaumie is a mortal one, and that the coast is open to all
comers. That's my part o' the bargain, and I expect you on your side to
treat me with equal fairness and frankness. [_Offering his hand._] You
will?

PHILIP.

My dear Sir Timothy--my dear Barradell--[_shaking_ SIR TIMOTHY's _hand
heartily_.] you're the most chivalrous fellow I've ever met!

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Walking away._] Ah, go on now!

PHILIP.

[_Following him._] I apologize sincerely for being so curt.

SIR TIMOTHY.