His walk is rather a slouch; he has a way of keeping his hands in his pockets, and of jerking out his sentences; a way, above all, of seeming perfectly indifferent to the comfort of the people he happens to be addressing. The impression he gives is one of power, not of refinement; and the massive face, with its heavy lines, and eyes that are usually veiled, seems to give no clue whatever to the character of the man within._ _The couple break apart when they enter the room;_ LADY ALINE _is the least bit nervous, though she shows no trace of it;_ MR. CROCKSTEAD _absolutely imperturbable and undisturbed._ CROCKSTEAD. [_Looking around._] Ah--this is the place--very quiet, retired, romantic--et cetera. Music in the distance--all very appropriate and sentimental. [_She leaves him, and sits, quietly fanning herself; he stands, looking at her._] You seem perfectly calm, Lady Aline? ALINE. [_Sitting._] Conservatories are not unusual appendages to a ball-room, Mr. Crockstead; nor is this conservatory unlike other conservatories. CROCKSTEAD [_Turning to her._] I wonder why women are always so evasive? ALINE. With your permission we will not discuss the sex. You and I are too old to be cynical, and too young to be appreciative. And besides, it is a rule of mine, whenever I sit out a dance, that my partner shall avoid the subjects of women--and golf. CROCKSTEAD. You limit the area of conversation. But then, in this particular instance, I take it, we have not come here to talk? ALINE. [_Coldly._] I beg your pardon! CROCKSTEAD. [_Sitting beside her._] Lady Aline, they are dancing a cotillon in there, so we have half an hour before us. We shall not be disturbed, for the Duchess, your aunt, has considerately stationed her aged companion in the corridor, with instructions to ward off intruders. ALINE. [_Very surprised._] Mr. Crockstead! CROCKSTEAD. [_Looking hard at her._] Didn't you know? [ALINE _turns aside, embarrassed._] That's right--of course you did. Don't you know why I have brought you here? That's right; of course you do. The Duchess, your aunt, and the Marchioness, your mother--observe how fondly my tongue trips out the titles--smiled sweetly on us as we left the ball-room. There will be a notice in the _Morning Post_ to-morrow: "A Marriage Has Been Arranged Between--" ALINE. [_Bewildered and offended._] Mr. Crockstead! This--this is-- CROCKSTEAD. [_Always in the same quiet tone._] Because I have not yet proposed, you mean? Of course I intend to, Lady Aline. Only as I know that you will accept me-- ALINE. [_In icy tones, as she rises._] Let us go back to the ball-room.