[_To himself _] That's not a charming young fellow!
[_Presenting Mallory to Dinah._] Mr. Mallory.
[_Gallantly, to Dinah._] I am delighted to have the opportunity of congratulating my old friend's niece upon her recent marriage. [_Taking her hand._] I think myself especially fortunate in being present on such--
[_Thrusting himself between Dinah and Mallory, and giving Dinah his arm._] How do you do, sir?
Mr. Mallory--Mr. Parkinson. [_ They bow abruptly, glaring at each other._]
[_To himself._] Is that a charming young fellow? [_Dinah expostulates in undertones with Reginald; he answering with violent gestures and glaring at Rankling, who mutters comments on Dinah's resemblance to various members of his family. Peggy endeavours to pacify Mallory who is evidently annoyed, and altogether there is much hubbub, with signs of general ill-feeling._]
[_Sinking back in his chair._] Oh, what a party! [_Jane enters._]
[_Quietly to Queckett._] The pudding is in the arey, sir, waiting to be paid.
I'll come to it. [_Jane goes out. To Peggy._] Margaret, show Admiral Rankling and Mr. Mallory where the cigarettes are--they may like--[_To himself_] Years are going off my life! [_He goes out._]
[_ To Mallory._] May I take you to the cigarettes?
[_Bashfully._] Oh! [_To Rankling._] The cigarettes are in the next room, Admiral Rankling.
[_Not hearing Peggy, but still eyeing Dinah._] That girl has a look of Emma's sister Susan. [_Peggy and Mallory go out. Reginald seeing Rankling is still looking at Dinah, abruptly takes her over to the door, glaring at Rankling as he passes._]
[_To Dinah, fiercely._] Come away, Dinah!
[_To Reginald, tearfully._] Oh, Reggie, dear Reggie, you are so different when people are not present. [_They go out. Rankling watches them through the doorway. Gwendoline has meanwhile seated herself beside Saunders, whose head has gradually fallen till it rests upon her shoulder. She is now sitting quite still, looking down upon the boy's face._]
[_Watching them enviously._] Well, considering that Mr. Saunders was introduced to us asleep, I don't think Gwendoline's behaviour is _coînme il faut!_ [_She bumps gently against Rankling._] Oh!
[_Looking at Ermyntrude, rather dazed._] My dear, I am quite glad to see somebody who isn't like any of my relations. Come along. [_They go out. Saunders moves dreamily and murmurs._]