'Look here, Penwyn,' said Clissold, earnestly, 'I've made it the business of my life for the last two years to keep you in the straight path. I won't have you kicking over the traces for any blue-eyed chit in the universe. Remember what I promised your poor mother, Jim.'
'That you'd act the part of an elder brother—supply the balance of good sense wanting to my shallow brains. That's all very well, Maurice. I always respected my poor mother's ideas even when they took the shape of prejudices. But a man must enjoy his life.'
'Yes, but he is bound to enjoy life with the least possible injury to other people.'
'Whom am I going to injure?' demanded Mr. Penwyn, with an impatient shrug, as he moved towards the wings.
'You are putting foolish ideas into that poor child's head.'
'What nonsense! Simply because I am civil to her. I mean to ask her to supper, whether you like it or not.'
'I hope her father will have the sense to refuse.'
'If you come to that, I'll invite the whole company!' cried the spoiled child of fortune.
The curtain came down at this moment, and Mr. Elgood returned to the green-room, unbuckling his sword-belt as he came along.