Dear Madame de Chaumie will pardon me for differing with her, but you can't very well ignore even a fellow of this stamp--[_glancing at_ BERTRAM] especially, if I understand aright, my excellent friend over there still persists---- BERTRAM. [_Morosely._] Yes, you do understand aright, Roope. I've every confidence in Dunning, I mean t'say---- PHILIP. [_Turning away, angrily._] Oh----! LADY FILSON. [_Severely._] Bertie----! SIR RANDLE. Bertram, my _boy_----! [_The bell rings. There is a short silence, and then_ BERTRAM _rises and pulls down his waistcoat portentously._ BERTRAM. Here he is. OTTOLINE. [_To_ LADY FILSON, _in a low voice._] Mother----? LADY FILSON. [_To_ PHILIP.] Do _you_ wish us to withdraw, Philip? PHILIP. [_Sitting at the writing-table._] Not at all, Lady Filson. [_Switching on the light of the library-lamp, sternly._] On the contrary, I should like you both to remain. LADY FILSON. [_To_ OTTOLINE.] Otto dear----? OTTOLINE. [_Adjusting a comb in her hair._] Oh, certainly, mother, I'll stay. LADY FILSON. [_Arranging her skirt and settling herself majestically._] Of this we may be perfectly sure; when my son finds that he has been misled, purposely or unintentionally, he will be only too ready--_too_ ready---- SIR RANDLE. [_Leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes._] That goes without saying, Winifred. A gentleman--an English gentleman---- BERTRAM. [_Who is watching the vestibule door--over his shoulder, snappishly._] Oh, of course, father, if it turns out that I've been sold, I'll eat humble-pie abjectly. ROOPE. [_Shaking a finger at_ BERTRAM.] Ha, ha! I hope you've brought a voracious appetite with you, dear excellent friend. BERTRAM. [_To_ ROOPE, _exasperated._] Look heah, Mr. Roope----! [_The vestibule door opens and_ JOHN _announces_ DUNNING. JOHN. Mr. Dunning. [DUNNING _enters and_ JOHN _retires._ MR. ALFRED DUNNING _is a spruce, middle-aged, shrewd-faced man with an affable but rather curt manner. He is in his hat and overcoat._ DUNNING. [_To_ BERTRAM.] Haven't kept you long, have I? I just had a cup o' cocoa--[_He checks himself on seeing so large an assembly, removes his hat, and includes everybody in a summary bow._] Evening. BERTRAM.