[_Walking away._] Oh, it's no use, Mackworth--this air of innocence! [_Puffing himself out and strutting to and fro on the left._] It's simply wasted effort, I mean t'say. In five minutes I can have Dunning here with the whole disreputable story. He's close by--bottom of Chancery Lane. He'll be at his office till half-past-eleven---- PHILIP. [_Between his teeth--thrusting his hands into his trouser-pockets._] Very accommodating of him! BERTRAM. I tried to get on to my father from Dunning's--to ask his advice, I mean t'say--but he'd dressed early and gone to one of his clubs, and they couldn't tell me which one. [_Halting and looking at his watch._] _My_ suggestion is that you and I should struggle through this farce of a dinner as best we can--as if nothing had happened. I mean t'say--and that I should reserve the disclosure of your caddish conduct till to-morrow. You assent to that course, Mackworth? [_Dabbing his forehead with his handkerchief._] Thank heaven, the announcement of the engagement hasn't appeared! PHILIP. [_In a calm voice._] Bertram--[_pointing to the chair on the left of the smoking-table_] Bertie, old man--[_seating himself easily upon the settee on the right_] you're your sister's brother and I'm not going to lose my temper---- BERTRAM. [_Sneeringly._] My dear sir---- PHILIP. [_Leaning back and crossing his legs._] One thing I seem to grasp clearly; and that is that, while I've been endeavouring to conciliate you, and make a pal of you, you've been leaguing yourself with a tame detective with the idea of injuring me in some way with Ottoline and your father and mother. [_Folding his arms._] That's correct, isn't it? BERTRAM. [_With a disdainful shrug._] If you think it will benefit you to distort my motives, Mackworth, pray do so. [_Returning to the middle of the room._] What I've done, I've done, as I've already stated, from a sheer sense of duty---- PHILIP. [_Again pointing to the chair._] Please! You'll look less formidable, old man---- BERTRAM.