[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.