"I can't say I see the likeness," says Dorian, with as little disgust as he can manage at so short a notice.
"My dear fellow," expostulates Lord Alfred, shifting his glass from one eye to the other and looking palpably amused, "there is no reason in the world why you should be grumpy because you are in love with the girl. I don't want to interfere with you."
"In love!" says Branscombe. "Nonsense! I never spoke a word to her in my life."
"Well, it is uncommon like it," says Lord Alfred.
"Is it? Well, I can't help that, you know. Nevertheless, I am not in love with any one."
"Then you ought to take that look off your face," persists his lordship, calmly.
"I'll take off anything you like," replies Dorian? somewhat nettled.
At this, Lord Alfred laughs beneath his breath, and tells him he will not keep him to this rash promise, as probably the Pullingham folk, being pre-Adamites, might object to the literal fulfilment of it.
"But she is a very lovely girl, and I don't wonder at your infatuation," he says, mildly.
"Foregone conclusions seem to be in your line," returns Dorian, with a shrug. "It seems a useless thing to tell you again I have not lost my heart to Miss Broughton."