_Uncle Gab._ Look at the finishing she's had! And after all, he's flesh and blood like ourselves. She might introduce you and me to him, though--it looks as if she was ashamed of her own relations. I shall go up and introduce myself in a minute, and do what I can to make the young fellow feel himself at home. (_Intercepting_ Lord S. _in the act of moving towards_ Miss SEATON.) Excuse me, my Lord, but, as the uncle of our worthy host and hostess, I should like the honour of shaking you by the hand. (_He shakes hands._) My name's GILWATTLE, my Lord, and I ought to tell you before I go any further that I've no superstitious reverence for rank. Whether a man's a lord or a linen-draper, is exactly the same to me--I look upon him dimply as a human being. _Lord Strath._ Quite so? he--ah--generally _is_, isn't he? _Uncle Gab._ Very handsome of your Lordship to admit it, I'm sure--but what I _mean_ to say is, I regard any friend of my niece and nephew's as a friend of mine--be he a Duke or be he a Dustman. _Lord Strath._ Unhappily for me, I'm neither a Duke nor a Dustman, and--er--will you kindly excuse me? (_To himself as he passes on._) That old gentleman makes me quite ill. Ah, MARJORY at last! (_To_ Miss SEATON.) You've scarcely spoken a word to me yet! I hoped somehow you'd look a little pleased to see me--after all this time! _Miss Seaton._ Pleased? I can hardly be that under the circumstances, Mr. CLAYMORE! _Lord Strath._ Well, I only thought--we used to be such friends once. You seem so changed! _Miss Seaton._ I am not the only one who is changed, I think. You seem to have changed everything--even your name. What ought I to call you, by the way, I didn't catch it exactly. "Lord SOMEBODY," wasn't it? _Lord Strath._ Never mind the confounded name, I have heard quite enough of it already! It's not my fault if I'm what I am. _I_ never wanted to be STRATHSPORRAN! _Miss Seaton._ Then you really are Lord STRATHSPORRAN! Oh, DOUGLAS, how _could_ you? _Lord Strath._ I didn't. It was all that accident to my poor uncle and cousin. And I'm about the poorest Peer in Scotland; if _that's_ any excuse for me! _Miss Seaton._ How can it be any excuse for your coming here? Have you no pride, DOUGLAS! _Lord Strath._ My goodness, what is there to be proud about? Why _shouldn't_ I dine with anybody, provided----? _Miss Seaton._ Please don't excuse yourself--I can't bear it. You _know_ it is unworthy of you to be here! _Lord Strath._ I don't indeed. I came here simply as a---- _Miss Seaton._ Don't trouble to tell me--I know _everything_. And--and you ought to have _died_ rather than descend to this! _Lord Strath._ Ought I? Died, eh? That never occurred to me; and, after all, MARJORY, _you_'re here! What's wrong? What have I let myself in for? _Miss Seaton_ (_bitterly_). What have you let yourself _out_ for, you mean, don't you?