I'm not such a fool as to imagine a boy can love any less than a man. If I'd thought your affection ridiculous I shouldn't have been so flattered. MERESTON. It doesn't hurt any the less because the wounds you make are clean cut. LADY FREDERICK. But they'll soon heal. And you'll fall in love with a nice girl of your own age, whose cheeks flush with youth and not with rouge, and whose eyes sparkle because they love you, and not because they're carefully made up. MERESTON. But I wanted to help you. You're in such an awful scrape, and if you'll only marry me it can all be set right. LADY FREDERICK. Oh, my dear, don't go in for self-sacrifice. You must leave that to women. They're so much more used to it. MERESTON. Isn't there anything I can do for you? LADY FREDERICK. No, dear. I shall get out of the mess somehow. I always do. You really need not worry about me. MERESTON. You know, you _are_ a brick. LADY FREDERICK. Then it's all settled, isn't it? And you're not going to be unhappy? MERESTON. I'll try not to be. LADY FREDERICK. I'd like to imprint a chaste kiss on your forehead, only I'm afraid it would leave a mark. [_The_ FOOTMAN _comes in and announces_ PARADINE FOULDES. FOOTMAN. Mr. Paradine Fouldes. [_Exit._ FOULDES. Do I disturb? LADY FREDERICK. Not at all. We've just finished our conversation. FOULDES. Well? MERESTON. If any one wants to know who the best woman in the world is send 'em to me, and I'll tell them. LADY FREDERICK. [_Taking his hand._] You dear! Good-bye. MERESTON. Good-bye. And thanks for being so kind to me. [_He goes out._ FOULDES. Do I see in front of me my prospective niece? LADY FREDERICK. Why d'you ask, Uncle Paradine? FOULDES. Singularly enough because I want to know. LADY FREDERICK. Well, it so happens--you don't. FOULDES. You've refused him? LADY FREDERICK. I have. FOULDES. Then will you tell me why you've been leading us all such a devil of a dance? LADY FREDERICK. Because you interfered with me, and I allow no one to do that. FOULDES. Hoity-toity. LADY FREDERICK. You weren't really so foolish as to imagine I should marry a boy who set me up on a pedestal and vowed he was unworthy to kiss the hem of my garment? FOULDES. Why not? LADY FREDERICK. My dear Paradine, I don't want to commit suicide by sheer boredom. There's only one thing in the world more insufferable than being in love. FOULDES. And what is that, pray? LADY FREDERICK. Why, having some one in love with you. FOULDES. I've suffered from it all my life. LADY FREDERICK.