caring for me. But after that, the wrong was all on my side,
I dare say. (He offers her his hand again.)

GLORIA (taking it firmly and warningly). Take care. That's a
dangerous subject. My feelings---my miserable, cowardly, womanly
feelings---may be on your side; but my conscience is on hers.

CRAMPTON. I'm very well content with that division, my dear. Thank
you. (Valentine arrives. Gloria immediately becomes deliberately
haughty.)

VALENTINE. Excuse me; but it's impossible to find a servant to
announce one: even the never failing William seems to be at the ball. I
should have gone myself; only I haven't five shillings to buy a ticket.
How are you getting on, Crampton? Better, eh?

CRAMPTON. I am myself again, Mr. Valentine, no thanks to you.

VALENTINE. Look at this ungrateful parent of yours, Miss Clandon! I
saved him from an excruciating pang; and he reviles me!

GLORIA (coldly). I am sorry my mother is not here to receive you,
Mr. Valentine. It is not quite nine o'clock; and the gentleman of whom
Mr. McComas spoke, the lawyer, is not yet come.

VALENTINE. Oh, yes, he is. I've met him and talked to him. (With
gay malice.) You'll like him, Miss Clandon: he's the very incarnation
of intellect. You can hear his mind working.

GLORIA (ignoring the jibe). Where is he?