The Second Mrs. Tanqueray - LightNovelsOnl.com
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No.
ELLEAN.
You are angry with him; so was I. But to-morrow when he calls and expresses his regret--to-morrow----
AUBREY.
Ellean--Ellean!
ELLEAN.
Yes, papa?
AUBREY.
I--I can't let you see this man again. [_He walks away from her in a paroxysm of distress, then, after a moment or two, he returns to her and takes her to his arms._] Ellean! my child!
ELLEAN.
[_Releasing herself._] What has happened, papa? What is it?
AUBREY.
[_Thinking out his words deliberately._] Something has occurred, something has come to my knowledge, in relation to Captain Ardale, which puts any further acquaintances.h.i.+p between you two out of the question.
ELLEAN.
Any further acquaintances.h.i.+p ... out of the question?
AUBREY.
Yes.
[_Advancing to her quickly, but she shrinks from him._
ELLEAN.
No, no--I am quite well. [_After a short pause._] It's not an hour ago since Mrs. Cortelyon left you and me together here; you had nothing to urge against Captain Ardale then.
AUBREY.
No.
ELLEAN.
You don't know each other; you haven't even seen him this evening.
Father!
AUBREY.
I have told you he and I have not met.
ELLEAN.
Mrs. Cortelyon couldn't have spoken against him to you just now. No, no, no; she's too good a friend to both of us. Aren't you going to give me some explanation? You can't take this position towards me--towards Captain Ardale--without affording me the fullest explanation.
AUBREY.
Ellean, there are circ.u.mstances connected with Captain Ardale's career which you had better remain ignorant of. It must be sufficient for you that I consider these circ.u.mstances render him unfit to be your husband.
ELLEAN.
Father!
AUBREY.
You must trust me, Ellean; you must try to understand the depth of my love for you and the--the agony it gives me to hurt you. You must trust me.
ELLEAN.
I will, father; but you must trust me a little too. Circ.u.mstances connected with Captain Ardale's career?
AUBREY.
Yes.
ELLEAN.
When he presents himself here to-morrow of course you will see him and let him defend himself?
AUBREY.
Captain Ardale will not be here to-morrow.
ELLEAN.
Not! You have stopped his coming here?
AUBREY.
Indirectly--yes.
ELLEAN.
But just now he was talking to me at that window! Nothing had taken place then! And since then nothing can have----! Oh! Why--you have heard something against him from Paula.
AUBREY.
