The door is opened, and PAYNTER announces "Mr. Kenneth Malise." MALISE enters. He is a tall man, about thirty-five, with a strongly marked, dark, irregular, ironic face, and eyes which seem to have needles in their pupils. His thick hair is rather untidy, and his dress clothes not too new.
LADY DEDMOND. How do you do? My son and daughter-in-law are so very sorry. They'll be here directly.
[MALISE bows with a queer, curly smile.]
SIR CHARLES. [Shaking hands] How d'you do, sir?
HUNTINGDON. We've met, I think.
He gives MALISE that peculiar smiling stare, which seems to warn the person bowed to of the sort of person he is. MALISE'S eyes sparkle.
LADY DEDMOND. Clare will be so grieved. One of those invitations
MALISE. On the spur of the moment.
SIR CHARLES. You play Bridge, sir?
MALISE. Afraid not!