[To Dinah.] Mr. Saunders wasn't looking at you, I am positive. The poor little fellow was stroking my hand. [Mallory returns with Saunders and Reginald, who both look excited, and their hair is disarranged.]

REGINALD.

[To Mallory and Saunders.] I beg your pardon; I may have been mistaken. I imagined that Mr. Saunders was regarding my wife in a way which overstepped the borders of ordinary admiration. [They hastily shake hands all around and hurry back to their seats. Tyler has poured out the champagne, and now departs. Admiral Rankling rises. Queckett taps the table for silence.]

QUECKETT.

Please—please.

RANKLING.

Ah'm!

MALLORY.

[To himself.] I thought the old gentleman wouldn't resist the temptation.

RANKLING.