"_Then_ you will understand." "But men's ages, sir, are a snare and a delusion!" continues Miss Majendie, who has mounted her hobby, and will ride it to the death.

"Who can tell the age of any man in this degenerate age?
We look at their faces, and say _he_ must be so and so, and _he_ a few years younger, but looks are vain, they tell us nothing.

Some look old, because they _are_ old, some look old--through _vice_!" The professor makes an impatient gesture.

But Miss Majendie is equal to most things.
"'Who excuses himself _accuses_ himself,'" quotes she with terrible readiness.

"Why that gesture, Mr.Curzon?
I made no mention of _your_ name.