The Girl with the Green Eyes Part 15

JINNY. Thank you, I've just left the Cullinghams. They sent word to you they were going and would wait for you outside.

RUTH. Oh, then, I mustn't keep them waiting. We'll all meet at dinner to-night, won't we? Good-by--good-by.

[_With a grateful look at AUSTIN, she goes out Right._

JINNY. [_Watches her go; then turns to AUSTIN._] That wasn't true, what I told her--I haven't seen the Cullinghams, and I don't know where they are, and what's more, I don't care!

AUSTIN. What do you mean?

JINNY. [_Beginning by degrees to lose control of herself._] What did _she_ mean by _following you_ to Rome?

AUSTIN. Jinny!

JINNY. Oh, don't try to deny it; that'll only make me suspect _you_!

AUSTIN. My dear girl, you don't know what you're saying!

JINNY. She's ill, they say at home! Yes, and they don't know what's the matter with her, do they? No! But I can tell them! She's in love with another woman's husband!

AUSTIN. [_Taking her hand._] Hus.h.!.+ I won't allow you to say such things!

JINNY. [_With a disagreeable little laugh._] Oh, won't you? _You'd_ better be careful,--my eyes are opened!

AUSTIN. Yes, and much too wide.

JINNY. A half-blind person would have known there was something between you two. When I came into this room just now, it was in the air--it was in both your faces!

[_She sits on the bench._

AUSTIN. You've worked yourself up to such a pitch you're not responsible for what you're saying!

JINNY. _I_ not _responsible_! What was it you were saying was _so_ "awful" when I came in here? "My G.o.d, so awful!"

[_He doesn't answer._

[_Almost hysterical, she rises._

She had told you she loved you! She'd confessed she'd followed you over here!

AUSTIN. Absolutely false, _both_ your suppositions!

JINNY. Oh, of course you'd protect her; you're a gentleman! But if I _thought_ you _knew_ she was coming over--

AUSTIN. Jinny! Jinny! How _can_ you have such a thought?

JINNY. Well, why didn't you tell me when you thought you saw her a little while ago?

AUSTIN. Oh--

JINNY. Oh, it's very easy to say "Oh!" [_Imitating him._] but _why didn't you_?

AUSTIN. I told you I didn't think who it was; I only thought something familiar flashed across my eyes. Jinny darling, this is sheer madness on your part, letting yourself go like this. It has no reason, it has no excuse! Ask your own heart, and your own mind, if in speaking to _me_ as you have, you haven't done me at least an injustice and my love for you a _little_ wrong.

JINNY. Well, I'm sure _she's_ in love with you, anyway.

AUSTIN. No, she isn't! And it's disgraceful of you to say so! I know she isn't--

JINNY. How do you know she isn't?

AUSTIN. There's no question of it. I'm sure of it! You mustn't think, dear, that because _you_ love me, everybody does--you idealize me!

[_Smiling apologetically._

JINNY. Oh, you're so modest you don't see! but I do--on the steamer, in the hotels, everywhere we go, always, all the women admire you awfully!

I see it!

AUSTIN. [_Laughing._] What utter nonsense! [_Taking her into his arms._]

You've got something in your _eyes_!

JINNY. Only tears!

AUSTIN. No, something else,--something _green_.

JINNY. [_Laughs through her tears._] Somebody's told you my old nickname!

AUSTIN. What?

JINNY. [_Laughs and is a little embarra.s.sed._] The girl with the green eyes.

AUSTIN. Ahem!--

JINNY. Well, I don't care if it is appropriate, I can't help it.

[_Slipping from his arms._

AUSTIN. You must--or it will threaten our happiness if you let yourself be carried away by jealousy for no earthly reason outside of your dear, little imagination, like you have this time--

[_Interrupted._

JINNY. You honestly don't think she cares for you?

AUSTIN. Not a bit!

JINNY. But what was it you were so serious about--what _is_ between you?

AUSTIN. She is in a little trouble, and I happen to know about it.

JINNY. How?