"What horrid things men are!"
"Old men are," assented Moore. "Sherry, you are a shocking old rascal."
"He is no worse than you, Tom," said the girl.
"Not half so bad, on my honor," observed the elder gentleman.
"You are so, Mr. Sheridan," said the girl, changing front immediately.
"See, Sherry, you can't abuse me with impunity," declared Moore with a chuckle.
"I 'll abuse you with profanity if you do not stop flaunting your amatory success in my venerable countenance," tartly retorted the gay old Irishman.
Lord Brooking looked at his watch.
"Jove!" he exclaimed, "I had no idea it was so late. I must be off."
"So soon?" asked Moore, regretfully, as his lordship rose to his feet.