bed_)--Hold your fingers up to the light.

MR. JARVIS (_aside_)--Now for the old "you let money slip through your
fingers."

MISS PAYSLEY--You don't know how to hold on to your fortune; you let
the best thing in your life slip through your fingers.

MR. JARVIS (_aside_)--Rather a good variant. (_Aloud._) What do you
mean?

MISS PAYSLEY (_with impatience_)--How should I know what I mean? I'm
telling you what I see. I don't know enough about you to have the
answer to the riddle of your hand. Remember, we've only met twice.

MR. JARVIS--Three times.

MISS PAYSLEY--Twice, three times, half a dozen--it doesn't signify.

MR. JARVIS--It does to me.

MISS PAYSLEY (_aside_)--I'm sorry for you, Millicent. (_Aloud._) You
ought to know what I mean. Have you never been in danger of losing
through your own carelessness--I mean, something you are fond of?
(_Aside._) That's pretty pointed. I hope Millicent won't give me away.

MR. JARVIS--Have you ever heard about the expulsive power of a
new--interest.

MISS PAYSLEY (_aside_)--The pill. (_With reflection._) I've heard of
changing one's mind.

MR. JARVIS (_holding up his hand, which is large and powerful_)--And
my hand shows indecision of character?

MISS PAYSLEY (_aside_)--He's jesting. They're all alike--men. Keen for
praise. (_Aloud._) I didn't say indecisive. You know what you want,
but you often don't value what you have. You are ready to pay for a
thing of lesser value with the one of greater.

MR. JARVIS--So few things have a fixed value; it's what they seem
worth to you. You can only measure the worth of any given thing by the
pleasure it gives you.

MISS PAYSLEY--The selfish man's creed. (_Glancing at his hand._) You
are abominably selfish, you know--selfish and self-indulgent! You will
sacrifice anything to attain something you want, except your own
comfort!

MR. JARVIS (_with a fine air of impartiality_)--I don't think that's
altogether true.

MISS PAYSLEY (_studying his hand intently_)--Yes, and you will
sacrifice not only anything but anybody!

MR. JARVIS (_modestly_)--That is what has always endeared me so to my
friends. I'm a sort of modern Moloch!

MISS PAYSLEY (_raising her eyes suddenly_)--Don't joke about it. It
may be true. (_There is a strained eagerness in her manner that is
quite convincing._)

MR. JARVIS (_aside_)--Hanged if I don't think she believes this rot.

MISS PAYSLEY--Please hold up your hands with the first fingers
touching.