ALINE. Yes. And, as regards the rest—
CROCKSTEAD. The rest I leave to you, with absolute confidence. You will help me?
ALINE. I will try. My choice is to be final?
CROCKSTEAD. Absolutely.
ALINE. I have an intimate friend—I wonder whether she would do?
CROCKSTEAD. Tell me about her.
ALINE. She and I made our debut the same season. Like myself she has hitherto been her mother's despair.
CROCKSTEAD. Because she has not yet—
ALINE. Married—yes. Oh, if men knew how hard the lot is of the portionless girl, who has to sit, and smile, and wait, with a very desolate heart—they would think less unkindly of her, perhaps—[She smiles.] But I am digressing, too.
CROCKSTEAD. Tell me more of your friend.