The Second Mrs. Tanqueray - 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.
PAULA.
And you call yourself my friend?
DRUMMLE.
[_Good-humouredly._] No, I don't!
PAULA.
Perhaps I'll tie them together and give them to his man in the morning.
DRUMMLE.
That won't avoid an explanation.
PAULA.
[_Recklessly._] Oh, then he must miss them----
DRUMMLE.
And trace them.
PAULA.
[_Throwing herself upon the ottoman._] I don't care!
DRUMMLE.
I know you don't; but let me send him to you now, may I?
PAULA.
Now! What do you think a woman's made of? I couldn't stand it, Cayley. I haven't slept for nights; and last night there was thunder, too! I believe I've got the horrors.
DRUMMLE.
[_Taking the little hand-mirror from the table._] You'll sleep well enough when you deliver those letters. Come, come, Mrs. Aubrey--a good night's rest! [_Holding the mirror before her face._] It's quite time.
[_She looks at herself for a moment, then s.n.a.t.c.hes the mirror from him._
PAULA.
You brute, Cayley, to show me that!
DRUMMLE.
Then--may I? Be guided by a fr--a poor old woman! May I?
PAULA.
You'll kill me, amongst you!
DRUMMLE.
What do you say?
PAULA.
[_After a pause._] Very well. [_He nods his head and goes out rapidly. She looks after him for a moment, and calls "Cayley!
Cayley!" Then she again produces the letters, deliberately, one by one, fingering them with aversion. Suddenly she starts, turning her head towards the door._] Ah!
AUBREY _enters quickly._
AUBREY.
Paula!
PAULA.
[_Handing him the letters, her face averted._] There! [_He examines the letters, puzzled, and looks at her inquiringly._] They are many days old. I stole them, I suppose to make you anxious and unhappy.
[_He looks at the letters again, then lays them aside on the table._
AUBREY.
[_Gently._] Paula, dear, it doesn't matter.
PAULA.
[_After a short pause._] Why--why do you take it like this?
AUBREY.
What did you expect?
PAULA.
Oh, but I suppose silent reproaches are really the severest. And then, naturally, you are itching to open your letters.
[_She crosses the room as if to go._
AUBREY.
Paula! [_She pauses._] Surely, surely it's all over now?
PAULA.
All over! [_Mockingly._.] Has my step-daughter returned then? When did she arrive? I haven't heard of it!