I'm your friend." "Do you think I've got a chance with her ?" he asked with a brave effort.
"You've had one wife thrust upon you; why should you expect another without a struggle?
I'm afraid you'll have to work for Constance." "But I have your--I can count on your approval ?" he whispered eagerly.
"Don't, Roxbury! People will think you are making love to _me_!" she protested, wilfully ignoring his question.
He returned to the box after the second act and proposed a turn in the foyer.

To his disgust, Ulstervelt appropriated Constance and left him to follow with Mrs.Rodney and Katherine.

He almost hated Edith for the tantalising smile she shot after him as he moved away, defeated.
If he was glaring luridly at the irrepressible Freddie, he was not alone in his gloom.

Katherine Rodney, green with jealousy, was sending spiteful glances after her dearest friend, while Mrs.Rodney was sniffing the air as if it was laden with frost.
"Don't you think Connie is a perfect dear?
I'm so fond of her," said Miss Rodney, so sweetly that he should have detected the nether-flow.
He started and pulled himself together.

"Aw, yes,--ripping!" He consciously adjusted his eyeglass for a hasty glance about in search of the easily disturbed Mr.Rodney.Then, to Mrs.Rodney, his mind a blank after a passing glimpse of Constance and her escort: "Aw--er--a perfectly jolly opera, isn't it ?".