edward. Good Lord . . it means lying and shuffling!

alice. [a little trembling.] In a good cause.

edward. Ah . . but lying and shuffling takes the fine edge off one's soul.

alice. [laughing at the quaintness of her own little epigram.] Edward, are you one of God's dandies?

edward. And . . Alice, it wouldn't be easy work. It wants qualities I haven't got. I should fail.

alice. Would you?

He catches a look from her.

edward. Well, I might not.

alice. And you don't need success for a lure. That's like a common man.