The Second Mrs. Tanqueray by Arthur W. Pinero (top 100 novels TXT) 📕

epub:type="z3998:persona">Lady Orreyed Rising. Dodo! Sir George Jus’ because I’ve married beneath me, to be chucked over! Aunt Lydia, the General, Hooky Whitgrave, Lady Sugnall⁠—my own dear sister!⁠—all turn their backs on me. It’s more than I can stan’! Lady Orreyed Approaching him with dignity. Sir George, wish Mrs. Tanqueray good night at once and come upstairs. Do you hear me? Sir George Rising angrily. Wha’⁠— Lady Orreyed Be quiet! Sir George You presoom to order me about! Lady Orreyed You’re making an exhibition of yourself! Sir George Look ’ere⁠—! Lady Orreyed Come along, I tell you! He hesitates, utters a few inarticulate sounds, then snatches up a fragile ornament from the table, and is about to dash it on to the ground. Lady Orreyed retreats, and Paula goes to him. Paula George! He replaces the ornament. Sir George Shaking Paula’s hand. Good ni’, Mrs. Tanqueray. Lady Orreyed To Paula. Good night, darling. Wish Aubrey good night for me. Now, Dodo? She goes out. Sir George To Paula. I say, are you goin’ to sit up for ol’ Aubrey? Paula Yes. Sir George Shall I keep you comp’ny? Paula No, thank you, George. Sir George Sure? Paula Yes, sure. Sir George Shaking hands. Good night again. Paula Good night. She turns away. He goes out, steadying himself carefully. Drummle appears outside the window, smoking. Drummle Looking into the room, and seeing Paula. My last cigar. Where’s Aubrey? Paula Gone down to The Warren, to see Mrs. Cortelyon home. Drummle Entering the room. Eh? Did you say Mrs. Cortelyon? Paula Yes. She has brought Ellean back. Drummle Bless my soul! Why? Paula I⁠—I’m too tired to tell you, Cayley. If you stroll along the lane you’ll meet Aubrey. Get the news from him. Drummle Going up to the window. Yes, yes. Returning to Paula. I don’t want to bother you, only⁠—the anxious old woman, you know. Are you and Aubrey⁠—? Paula Good friends again? Drummle Nodding. Um. Paula Giving him her hand. Quite, Cayley, quite. Drummle Retaining her hand. That’s capital. As I’m off so early tomorrow morning, let me say now⁠—thank you for your hospitality. He bends over her hand gallantly, then goes out by the window. Paula To herself. “Are you and Aubrey⁠—?” “Good friends again?” “Yes.” “Quite, Cayley, quite.” There is a brief pause, then Aubrey enters hurriedly, wearing a light overcoat and carrying a cap. Aubrey Paula dear! Have you seen Ellean? Paula I found her here when I came down. Aubrey She⁠—she’s told you? Paula Yes, Aubrey. Aubrey It’s extraordinary, isn’t it! Not that somebody should fall in love with Ellean or that Ellean herself should fall in love. All that’s natural enough and was bound to happen, I suppose, sooner or later. But this young fellow! You know his history? Paula His history? Aubrey You remember the papers were full of his name a few months ago? Paula Oh, yes. Aubrey The man’s as brave as a lion, there’s no doubt about that; and, at the same time, he’s like a big good-natured schoolboy, Mrs. Cortelyon says. Have you ever pictured the kind of man Ellean would marry some day? Paula I can’t say that I have. Aubrey A grave, sedate fellow I’ve thought about⁠—hah! She has fallen in love with the way in which Ardale practically laid down his life to save those poor people shut up in the Residency. Taking off his coat. Well, I suppose if a man can do that sort of thing, one ought to be content. And yet⁠—Throwing his coat on the settee. I should have met him tonight, but he’d gone out. Paula dear, tell me how you look upon this business. Paula Yes, I will⁠—I must. To begin with, I⁠—I’ve seen Mr. Ardale. Aubrey Captain Ardale? Paula Captain Ardale. Aubrey Seen him? Paula While you were away he came up here, through our grounds, to try to get a word with Ellean. I made her fetch him in and present him to me. Aubrey Frowning. Doesn’t Captain Ardale know there’s a lodge and a front door to this place? Never mind! What is your impression of him? Paula Aubrey, do you recollect my bringing you a letter⁠—a letter giving you an account of myself⁠—to the Albany late one night⁠—the night before we got married? Aubrey A letter? Paula You burnt it; don’t you know? Aubrey Yes; I know. Paula His name was in that letter. Aubrey Going back from her slowly, and staring at her. I don’t understand. Paula Well⁠—Ardale and I once kept house together. He remains silent, not moving. Why don’t you strike me? Hit me in the face⁠—I’d rather you did! Hurt me! hurt me! Aubrey After a pause. What did you⁠—and this man⁠—say to each other⁠—just now? Paula I⁠—hardly⁠—know. Aubrey Think! Paula The end of it all was that I⁠—I told him I must inform you of⁠—what had happened⁠ ⁠… he didn’t want me to do that⁠ ⁠… I declared that I would⁠ ⁠… he dared me to. Breaking down. Let me alone!⁠—oh! Aubrey Where was my daughter while this went on? Paula I⁠—I had sent her out of the room⁠ ⁠… that is all right. Aubrey Yes, yes⁠—yes, yes. He turns his head towards the door. Paula Who’s that? A Servant enters with a letter. Servant The coachman has just run up with this from The Warren, sir. Aubrey takes the letter. It’s for Mrs. Tanqueray, sir; there’s no answer. The Servant withdraws. Aubrey goes to Paula and drops the letter into her lap; she opens it with uncertain hands. Paula Reading it to herself. It’s from⁠—him. He’s going away⁠—or gone⁠—I think. Rising in a weak way. What does it say? I never could make out his writing. She gives the letter to Aubrey and stands near him, looking at the letter over his shoulder as he reads. Aubrey Reading. “I shall be in Paris by tomorrow evening. Shall wait there, at Meurice’s, for a week, ready to receive any communication you or your husband may address to me. Please invent some explanation to Ellean. Mrs. Tanqueray, for God’s sake, do what you can for me.” Paula and Aubrey speak in low voices, both still looking at the letter.