ItwasthevoiceofColonelStarbottle；itwasthefrilledshirtfront，thelightlybuttonedbluecoatwithitsexpandinglapels，likeburstingpetals，andthesmilingmaskofthatgentlemanrisingabovethetableandbowingtoClarenceBrantandhiswifewithinfinitecourtesy。\"The——er——humiliatingsituationinwhichwefindourselves，gentlemen，——thereluctantwitnessesof——er——whatwetrustisonlyatemporarydisagreementbetweenourcharminghostessandthe——er——gentlemanwhomsherecognizedunderthehighesttitletoourconsideration，——isdistressingtousall，andwouldseemtoamplyjustifythatgentleman’sclaimstoapersonalsatisfaction，whichIknowwewouldalldelighttogive。Butthatsituationrestsuponthesuppositionthatourgatheringherewasofapurelysocialorfestivenature！Itmaybe，\"continuedthecolonelwithablandlyreflectiveair，\"thatthespectacleofthesedecantersandglasses，andthenectarfurnishedusbyourHebe-likehostess\"（heliftedaglassofwhiskeyandwatertohislipswhilehebowedtoMrs。Brantgracefully），\"hasledthegentlemantosuchadeduction。
ButwhenIsuggesttohimthatourmeetingwasofabusiness，orprivatenature，itstrikesmethatthequestionofintrusionmaybefairlydividedbetweenhimandourselves。Wemaybeevenjustified，inviewofthatprivacy，inaskinghimifhis——er——entrancetothishousewas——er——coincidentwithhisappearanceamongus。\"
\"Withmyfrontdoorinpossessionofstrangers，\"saidClarence，moreinreplytoasuddencontemptuousglancefromhiswifethanStarbottle’sinsinuation，\"Ienteredthehousethroughthewindow。\"
\"Ofmyboudoir，whereanotherintruderoncebrokehisneck，\"
interruptedhiswifewithamockinglaugh。