The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Part 38

HUGH.

Evidently. I sha'n't sleep a wink to-night after this. What a fool I am! Come down to the plantation. Make it up with me.

ELLEAN.

There is somebody coming into this room. Do you wish to be seen here?

HUGH.

I shall wait for you behind that yew-tree. You must speak to me.

Nelly!

[_He disappears._ PAULA _enters._

PAULA.

Ellean!

ELLEAN.

You--you are very surprised to see me, Paula, of course.

PAULA.

Why are you here? Why aren't you with--your friend?

ELLEAN.

I've come home--if you'll have me. We left Paris this morning; Mrs.

Cortelyon brought me back. She was here a minute or two ago; papa has just gone with her to The Warren. He asked me to tell you.

PAULA.

There are some people staying with us that I'd rather you didn't meet. It was hardly worth your while to return for a few hours.

ELLEAN.

A few hours?

PAULA.

Well, when do you go to London?

ELLEAN.

I don't think I go to London, after all.

PAULA.

[_Eagerly._] You--you've quarrelled with her?

ELLEAN.

No, no, no, not that; but--Paula! [_In an altered tone._] Paula.

PAULA.

[_Startled._] Eh? [ELLEAN _goes deliberately to_ PAULA _and kisses her._] Ellean!

ELLEAN.

Kiss me.

PAULA.

What--what's come to you?

ELLEAN.

I want to behave differently to you in the future. Is it too late?

PAULA.

Too--late! [_Impulsively kissing_ ELLEAN _and crying._] No--no--no!

No--no!

ELLEAN.

Paula, don't cry.

PAULA.

[_Wiping her eyes_] I'm a little shaky; I haven't been sleeping.

It's all right,--talk to me.

ELLEAN.

There is something I want to tell you----

PAULA.

Is there--is there?

[_They sit together on the ottoman,_ PAULA _taking_ ELLEAN'S _hand._

ELLEAN.

Paula, in our house in the Avenue de Friedland, on the floor below us, there was a Mrs. Brereton. She used to be a friend of my mother's. Mrs. Cortelyon and I spent a great deal of our time with her.