Gina looked at him steadily.

She said in a quiet serious tone:

‘It doesn’t last very long, you know. Women have a much worse time of it in the world than men do. They’re more vulnerable. They have children, and they mind — terribly — about their children. As soon as they lose their looks, the men they love don’t love them any more. They’re betrayed and deserted and pushed aside. I don’t blame men. I’d be the same myself. I don’t like people who are old or ugly or ill or who whine about their troubles or who are ridiculous like Edgar, strutting about and pretending he’s important and worthwhile. You say I’m cruel? It’s a cruel world! Sooner or later it will be cruel to me! But now I’m young and I’m nice looking and people find me attractive.’ Her teeth flashed out in her peculiar warm sunny smile. ‘Yes, I enjoy it, Alex. Why shouldn’t I?’

‘Why indeed?’ said Alex. ‘What I want to know is what are you going to do about it. Are you going to marry Stephen or are you going to marry me?’

‘I’m married to Wally.’

‘Temporarily. Every woman should make one mistake matrimonially — but there’s no need to dwell on it. Having tried out the show in the provinces, the time has come to bring it to the West End.’

‘And you’re the West End?’

‘Indubitably.’

‘Do you really want to marry me? I can’t imagine you married.’

‘I insist on marriage. Affaires, I always think, are so very old-fashioned. Difficulties with passports and hotels and all that. I shall never have a mistress unless I can’t get her any other way!’

Gina’s laugh rang out fresh and clear.

‘You do amuse me, Alex.’

‘It is my principal asset. Stephen is much better looking than I am. He’s extremely handsome and very intense which, of course, women adore. But intensity is fatiguing in the home. With me, Gina, you will find life entertaining.’

‘Aren’t you going to say you love me madly?’

‘However true that may be, I shall certainly not say it. It would be one up to you and one down to me if I did. No, all I am prepared to do is to make you a businesslike offer of marriage.’

‘I shall have to think about it,’ said Gina smiling.

‘Naturally. Besides, you’ve got to put Wally out of his misery first. I’ve a lot of sympathy with Wally. It must be absolute hell for him to be married to you and trailed along at your chariot wheels into this heavy family atmosphere of philanthropy.’

‘What a beast you are, Alex!’

‘A perceptive beast.’

‘Sometimes,’ said Gina, ‘I don’t think Wally cares for me one little bit. He just doesn’t notice me any more.’

‘You’ve stirred him up with a stick and he doesn’t respond? Most annoying.’

Like a flash Gina swung her palm and delivered a ringing slap on Alex’s smooth cheek.

‘Touché!’ cried Alex.