[_Continuing, rapidly and excitedly._] Because I have since received your gentlemanly assurance that Tankerville's daughter is my daughter. Now, either you mean to say that I've behaved like a blackguard to Tankerville--which will be a libel--or that Tankerville has conducted himself with less than common fairness to me--which will be a divorce. And, in either case, without wishing to anticipate the law, I shall personally chastise you, because, although I've been a sailor on the high seas for five and forty years, I have never during the whole of that period listened to such a yarn of mendacious fabrications as you spun me last night! QUECKETT. [_Beginning to carefully put on his gloves._] It would be idle to deny that this affair has now assumed its most unpleasant aspect. Admiral Rankling--the time has come for candour on both sides. RANKLING. Be quick, sir! QUECKETT. I am being quick, Rankling. I admit, with all the rapidity of utterance of which I am capable, that my assurances of last night were founded upon an airy basis. RANKLING. In plain words--lies, Mr. Queckett. QUECKETT. A habit of preparing election manifestos for various members of my family may have impaired a fervent admiration for truth, in which I yield to no man. RANKLING. [_Advancing in a determined manner._] Very well, sir! QUECKETT. [_Retreating._] One moment, Rankling. One moment--if not two! I glean that you are prepared to assault-- RANKLING. To chastise! QUECKETT. Well, to inconvenience a man at whose table you feasted last night. Do so! RANKLING. I will do so! QUECKETT. I say, do so. But the triumph, when you kneel upon my body--for I am bound to tell you that I shall lie down--the triumph will be mine! RANKLING. You are welcome to it, sir. Put down that umbrella! QUECKETT What for? RANKLING. _I_ haven't an umbrella. QUECKETT. You haven't? Allow me to leave this room, my dear Rankling, and I'll beg your acceptance of this one. [_Rankling advances fiercely; Queckett retreats; Miss Dyott enters._] QUECKETT. Caroline! MISS DYOTT. Stop, Admiral Rankling, if you please. Any reprimand, physical or otherwise, will be administered to Mr. Queckett at my hands. QUECKETT. [_To himself._] I would have preferred Rankling. Rankling I could have winded. [_He goes out quickly. Miss Dyott following in pursuit._] MISS DYOTT. [_As she goes._] Vere! RANKLING. I am in my own house, madam--[_Mrs. Rankling enters, carrying the broken bust._] RANKLING. Emma, go back to bed. MRS. RANKLING. Archibald Rankling, attend to me. Don't roll your eyes--but attend to me. RANKLING. Emma, your tone is dictatorial. MRS. RANKLING. It is meant to be so, because, after seventeen years of married life, I am going to speak my mind at last. [_Holding up the head before him._] Archibald, look at that. RANKLING. What's that? MRS. RANKLING. Myself--less than ten years ago--the sculptor's earliest effort. RANKLING. Broken--made of bad stuff--send it back.