TREBELL. We both minded. But I had ideals of womanhood that I wouldn't sacrifice to any human being. Then I fell in with a woman who seduced me, and for a whole year led me the life of a French novel . . played about with my emotion as I had tortured that other poor girl's brains. Education you'd call it in the one case as I called it in the other. What a waste of time! AMY O'CONNELL. And what has become of your ideal? TREBELL. [_Relapsing to his former mood._] It's no longer a personal matter. AMY O'CONNELL. [_With coquetry._] You're not interested in my character? TREBELL. Oh, yes, I am . . up to kissing point. _She does not shrink, but speaks with just a shade of contempt._ AMY O'CONNELL. You get that far more easily than a woman. That's one of my grudges against men. Why can't women take love-affairs so lightly? TREBELL. There are reasons. But make a good beginning with this one. Kiss me at once. _He leans towards her. She considers him quite calmly._ AMY O'CONNELL. No. TREBELL. When will you, then? AMY O'CONNELL. When I can't help myself . . if that time ever comes. TREBELL. [_Accepting the postponement in a business-like spirit._] Well . . I'm an impatient man. AMY O'CONNELL. [_Confessing engagingly._] I made up my mind to bring you within arms' length of me when we'd met at Lady Percival's. Do you remember? [_His face shows no sign of it._] It was the day after your speech on the Budget. TREBELL. Then I remember. But I haven't observed the process. AMY O'CONNELL. [_Subtly._] Your sister grew to like me very soon. That's all the cunning there has been. TREBELL. The rest is just mutual attraction? AMY O'CONNELL. And opportunities. TREBELL. Such as this. _At the drop of their voices they become conscious of the silent house._ AMY O'CONNELL. Do you really think everyone has gone to bed? TREBELL. [_Disregardful._] And what is it makes my pressing attentions endurable . . if one may ask? AMY O'CONNELL. Some spiritual need or other, I suppose, which makes me risk unhappiness . . in fact, welcome it. TREBELL. [_With great briskness._] Your present need is a good shaking . . I seriously mean that. You get to attach importance to these shades of emotion. A slight physical shock would settle them all. That's why I asked you to kiss me just now. AMY O'CONNELL. You haven't very nice ideas, have you? TREBELL. There are three facts in life that call up emotion . . Birth, Death, and the Desire for Children. The niceties are shams. AMY O'CONNELL. Then why do you want to kiss me? TREBELL. I don't . . seriously. But I shall in a minute just to finish the argument. Too much diplomacy always ends in a fight. AMY O'CONNELL. And if I don't fight . . it'd be no fun for you, I suppose? TREBELL. You would get that much good out of me. For it's my point of honour . . to leave nothing I touch as I find it. _He is very close to her._ AMY O'CONNELL. You're frightening me a little . .