The Big Drum - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
OTTOLINE.
To the young, I a.s.sume; scarcely to the aged widow----!
PHILIP.
Or the grey-haired scribbler! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
OTTOLINE.
Ha, ha, ha, ha----!
[_He turns and advances to her slowly, looking at her fixedly and earnestly._
PHILIP.
Ottoline--I wonder whether you'd care to walk under those trees with me again, for sentiment's sake, some fine day in the future----!
OTTOLINE.
[_Staring at him._] C-care----?
PHILIP.
And if you would, whether I ought to tempt you to risk it!
OTTOLINE.
[_Rising, smiling but discomposed._] To--to risk finding that _le lait n'est pas cremeux_, do you mean?
PHILIP.
[_Tenderly._] To risk even that. [_Drawing nearer to her._] Otto----!
OTTOLINE.
I--I should be delighted--if--if ever----
PHILIP.
No, no; not as friends, Otto--save in the best sense----
OTTOLINE.
[_Faintly._] I--I don't----
PHILIP.
As husband and wife. [_She stands quite still._] Husband and wife! Some day when I've achieved a solid success; when I've captured the great public, and can come to you, not as a poor, struggling writer, but holding my prizes in both hands!
OTTOLINE.
[_Putting her hand to her forehead._] It--it's not too late, is it?
PHILIP.
[_Recoiling._] Too late--for me--to be successful?
OTTOLINE.
[_Pa.s.sionately._] Oh, my G.o.d, don't say that to me--[_going to him, and clinging to him_] too late for me to recover a little of what I've lost!
PHILIP.
[_Pressing her to him._] Ah! Too late for neither of us. It's a bargain?
OTTOLINE.
Yes--yes; but----
PHILIP.
But----?
OTTOLINE.
[_Her head drooping._] Must it be--_some_ day? [_Piteously._] _Some_ day!
PHILIP.
There are signs in the sky; the day isn't far distant!
OTTOLINE.
I--I've money, Philip----
PHILIP.
H'sss.h.!.+ [_Frowning._] Ottoline!
OTTOLINE.
_Ah, je vois que votre orgueil est plus fort que votre amour!_
PHILIP.
Ha, ha! _Peut-etre; je ne m'en defends pas._ You consent?
OTTOLINE.
