[_Unthinkingly allowing him to retain her hands._] Everything I've learned since-- except my music, and that I owe to Tedder and Vincent-- everything I've learned since, I've learned by sheer cuteness, from novels, the papers, the theatres, and by keeping my ears open like a cunning little parrot. [_Softly._] Ha, ha! That's what I am-- a cunning little parrot! FARNCOMBE. [_Laughing with her._] Ha, ha! LILY. [_Tossing her head._] Ho, I dare say, if I had the opportunity, I could imitate the fine _ly_dies _you_ mix with, so that in less than six months you'd hardly know the difference between them and me! FARNCOMBE. [_Holding her hands to his breast._] There is no difference already; there _is_ none. LILY. Isn't there! [_Almost nestling up to him._] Ah, you should see me in one of my vile tempers. [_Wistfully._] Then-- then you wouldn't--! [_Becoming conscious of her proximity to him, she backs away and stands rubbing the palms of her hands together in embarrassment._] Anyhow-- anyhow it isn't my intention to give you a chance of comparing us. FARNCOMBE. [_Under his breath._] Oh-- Miss Parradell----! LILY. [_Collecting herself._] No, I-- I'm not going to let you make a fool of yourself over _me_, if I can help it. FARNCOMBE. Fool----! LILY. [_Facing him and speaking quietly but firmly._] Recollect, however shrewd and apt I may be, and however straight I've managed to keep myself, still-- I'm only a Pandora girl, and should always be remembered as one by your chums and belongings. Only a Pandora girl. Nothing can alter that, dear boy; and you mustn't-- you mustn't handicap yourself by hanging _me_ round your neck. FARNCOMBE. [_Heavily._] I-- I shouldn't be the first of my sort to marry a "Pandora girl," not by half a dozen or more. LILY. No, but-- without wishing to flatter you-- I don't quite put you on a level with Robbie Kinterton, and Glenroy, and Georgie Fawcus, and-- that crew. [_Cheerfully._] And so I mean to take care of you-- to take care of you for your own sake and for your mammy's and daddy's. [_She turns from him and fetches his hat and coat and gives them to him. He receives them from her with a dazed look._] Time's up. [_After a silence during which neither stirs._] Never mind. You'll survive it. [_Another pause._] Come along. [_She passes him, to go to the door on the left. As she does so he flings his hat and coat on to the settee, and clasps her in his arms._ FARNCOMBE. Lily-- Lily----! LILY. Ah, that's not fair! FARNCOMBE. Don't-- don't send me away like this! LILY. [_Her hand against his breast._] It isn't fair of you! FARNCOMBE. Say you'll take time to consider. LILY. I hate you for it! FARNCOMBE. Ask Roper's advice-- your mother's----! LILY. I've trusted you! FARNCOMBE. Ask Miss Birch----! LILY. Eddie! Lord Farncombe----! [_He releases her and they confront one another, she panting, he hanging his head guiltily._] W-w-well, I-- I _have_ been mistaken in you. FARNCOMBE.