[Significantly.] I know how she feels to-day. If you want to send her to Hong-Kong with Captain Bastling—

[Quex hesitates for a moment, then crosses to Frayne, to whom he speaks apart.

Quex.

Chick! how shall I act?

Frayne.

[Dismally.] Dear old chap, to be quite honest with you, I was not wholly captivated by Miss Eden when you presented me yesterday.

Quex.

Tshah! What shall I do? wait?

Frayne.

In any event, of course, the man's head has to be punched. But it might be wise to delay doing it until—