Selina: At last Ninian’s qualities are coming in handy. He is incredibly grand, and, of course, it comes quite naturally to him. He is prepared to horse-whip anyone. He talks about “my wife.” He does not, of course, say she is above suspicion. That would be to cast a slur upon himself. Who was Cæsar?
Lord William: Ninian is one of those men who believe implicitly in their own all-conquering charm and, consequently, in the absence of temperament of every woman who resists them. They never consider the possibility of anyone who is not passionately in love with them being passionately in love with anyone else.
Tim: Well, no one suspects Ann of being in love with Jordan.
Lord William: Ah—no.
[He obviously knows the truth.
Tim: It is wonderful of her suddenly to invent a story like that, but, of course, I do see that it was rather trying for Ninian.
Selina: Have you seen Mr. Jordan since, Papa?
Lord William: Yes.
Tim: He must have been dreadfully upset at all the worry poor Ann is having.
Lord William: He seemed to be thinking mainly of himself.