Teddie. I’ve often thought I wasn’t quite a gentleman. Had it ever struck you?
[They look at one another for a while.
Elizabeth. You know, you are taking an unfair advantage of me. I feel as if I came to you quite unsuspectingly and when I wasn’t looking you kicked me on the shins.
Teddie. Don’t you think we’d get on rather well together?
Porteous. Elizabeth’s a fool if she don’t stick to her husband. It’s bad enough for the man, but for the woman—it’s damnable. I hold no brief for Arnold. He plays bridge like a foot. Saving your presence, Kitty, I think he’s a prig.
Lady Kitty. Poor dear, his father was at his age. I daresay he’ll grow out of it.
Porteous. But you stick to him, Elizabeth, stick to him. Man is a gregarious animal. We’re members of a herd. If we break the herd’s laws we suffer for it. And we suffer damnably.
Lady Kitty. Oh, Elizabeth, my dear child, don’t go. It’s not worth it. It’s not worth it. I tell you that, and I’ve sacrificed everything to love.
[A pause.
Elizabeth. I’m afraid.