LADY KITTY. My dear Clive, I don't mind telling you that if I had my time over again I should be unfaithful to you, but I should not leave you. C.-C. For some years I was notoriously the prey of a secret sorrow. But I found so many charming creatures who were anxious to console that in the end it grew rather fatiguing. Out of regard to my health I ceased to frequent the drawing-rooms of Mayfair. LADY KITTY. And since then? C.-C. Since then I have allowed myself the luxury of assisting financially a succession of dear little things, in a somewhat humble sphere, between the ages of twenty and twenty-five. LADY KITTY. I cannot understand the infatuation of men for young girls. I think they're so dull. C.-C. It's a matter of taste. I love old wine, old friends and old books, but I like young women. On their twenty-fifth birthday I give them a diamond ring and tell them they must no longer waste their youth and beauty on an old fogey like me. We have a most affecting scene, my technique on these occasions is perfect, and then I start all over again. LADY KITTY. You're a wicked old man, Clive. C.-C. That's what I told you. But, by George! I'm a happy one. LADY KITTY. There's only one course open to me now. C.-C. What is that? LADY KITTY. [_With a flashing smile._] To go and dress for dinner. C.-C. Capital. I will follow your example. [_As LADY KITTY goes out ELIZABETH comes in._ ELIZABETH. Where is Arnold? C.-C. He's on the terrace. I'll call him. ELIZABETH. Don't bother. C.-C. I was just strolling along to my cottage to put on a dinner jacket. [_As he goes out._] Arnold. [_Exit C.-C._ ARNOLD. Hulloa! [_He comes in._] Oh, Elizabeth, I've found an illustration here of a chair which is almost identical with mine. It's dated 1750. Look! ELIZABETH. That's very interesting. ARNOLD. I want to show it to Porteous. [_Moving a chair which has been misplaced._] You know, it does exasperate me the way people will not leave things alone. I no sooner put a thing in its place than somebody moves it. ELIZABETH. It must be maddening for you. ARNOLD. It is. You are the worst offender. I can't think why you don't take the pride that I do in the house. After all, it's one of the show places in the county. ELIZABETH. I'm afraid you find me very unsatisfactory. ARNOLD. [_Good-humouredly._] I don't know about that. But my two subjects are politics and decoration. I should be a perfect fool if I didn't see that you don't care two straws about either. ELIZABETH. We haven't very much in common, Arnold, have we? ARNOLD. I don't think you can blame me for that. ELIZABETH. I don't. I blame you for nothing. I have no fault to find with you. ARNOLD. [_Surprised at her significant tone._] Good gracious me! what's the meaning of all this? ELIZABETH. Well, I don't think there's any object in beating about the bush. I want you to let me go. ARNOLD. Go where? ELIZABETH. Away. For always. ARNOLD. My dear child, what _are_ you talking about?