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

dear. Paula Slowly collecting herself. One moment. I⁠—I don’t quite⁠—To Mrs. Cortelyon. You propose that Ellean leaves Highercoombe almost at once and remains with you some months? Mrs. Cortelyon It would be a mercy to me. You can afford to be generous to a desolate old widow. Come, Mrs. Tanqueray, won’t you spare her? Paula Won’t I spare her. Suspiciously. Have you mentioned your plan to Aubrey⁠—before I came in? Mrs. Cortelyon No, I had no opportunity. Paula Nor to Ellean? Mrs. Cortelyon Oh, no. Paula Looking about her, in suppressed excitement. This hasn’t been discussed at all, behind my back? Mrs. Cortelyon My dear Mrs. Tanqueray! Paula Ellean, let us hear your voice in the matter! Ellean I should like to go with Mrs. Cortelyon⁠— Paula Ah! Ellean That is, if⁠—if⁠— Paula If⁠—if what? Ellean Looking towards Aubrey, appealingly. Papa! Paula In a hard voice. Oh, of course⁠—I forgot. To Aubrey. My dear Aubrey, it rests with you, naturally, whether I am⁠—to lose⁠—Ellean. Aubrey Lose Ellean! Advancing to Paula. There is no question of losing Ellean. You would see Ellean in town constantly when she returned from Paris; isn’t that so, Mrs. Cortelyon? Mrs. Cortelyon Certainly. Paula Laughing softly. Oh, I didn’t know I should be allowed that privilege. Mrs. Cortelyon Privilege, my dear Mrs. Tanqueray! Paula Ha, ha! that makes all the difference, doesn’t it? Aubrey With assumed gaiety. All the difference? I should think so! To Ellean, laying his hand upon her head, tenderly. And you are quite certain you wish to see what the world is like on the other side of Black Moor? Ellean If you are willing, papa, I am quite certain. Aubrey Looking at Paula irresolutely, then speaking with an effort. Then I⁠—I am willing. Paula Rising and striking the table lightly with her clenched hand. That decides it! There is a general movement. Excitedly to Mrs. Cortelyon, who advances towards her. When do you want her? Mrs. Cortelyon We go to town this afternoon at five o’clock, and sleep tonight at Bayliss’s. There is barely time for her to make her preparations. Paula I will undertake that she is ready. Mrs. Cortelyon I’ve a great deal to scramble through at home too, as you may guess. Goodbye! Paula Turning away. Mrs. Cortelyon is going. Paula stands looking out of the window, with her back to those in the room. Mrs. Cortelyon To Drummle. Cayley⁠— Drummle To her. Eh? Mrs. Cortelyon I’ve gone through it, for the sake of Aubrey and his child, but I⁠—I feel a hundred. Is that a madwoman? Drummle Of course; all jealous women are mad. He goes out with Aubrey. Mrs. Cortelyon Hesitatingly, to Paula. Goodbye, Mrs. Tanqueray. Paula inclines her head with the slightest possible movement, then resumes her former position. Ellean comes from the hall and takes Mrs. Cortelyon out of the room. After a brief silence, Paula turns with a fierce cry, and hurriedly takes off her coat and hat, and tosses them upon the settee. Paula Oh! Oh! Oh! She drops into the chair as Aubrey returns; he stands looking at her. Who’s that? Aubrey I. You have altered your mind about going out? Paula Yes. Please to ring the bell. Aubrey Touching the bell. You are angry about Mrs. Cortelyon and Ellean. Let me try to explain my reasons⁠— Paula Be careful what you say to me just now! I have never felt like this⁠—except once⁠—in my life. Be careful what you say to me! A Servant enters. Paula Rising. Is Watts at the door with the cart? Servant Yes, ma’am. Paula Tell him to drive down to the post-office directly, with this. Picking up the letter which has been lying upon the table. Aubrey With that? Paula Yes. My letter to Lady Orreyed. Giving the letter to the Servant, who goes out. Aubrey Surely you don’t wish me to countermand any order of yours to a servant? Call the man back⁠—take the letter from him! Paula I have not the slightest intention of doing so. Aubrey I must, then. Going to the door. She snatches up her hat and coat and follows him. What are you going to do? Paula If you stop that letter, walk out of the house. He hesitates, then leaves the door. Aubrey I am right in believing that to be the letter inviting George Orreyed and his wife to stay here, am I not? Paula Oh yes⁠—quite right. Aubrey Let it go; I’ll write to him by-and-by. Paula Facing him. You dare! Aubrey Hush, Paula! Paula Insult me again and, upon my word, I’ll go straight out of the house! Aubrey Insult you? Paula Insult me! What else is it? My God! what else is it? What do you mean by taking Ellean from me? Aubrey Listen⁠—! Paula Listen to me! And how do you take her? You pack her off in the care of a woman who has deliberately held aloof from me, who’s thrown mud at me! Yet this Cortelyon creature has only to put foot here once to be entrusted with the charge of the girl you know I dearly want to keep near me! Aubrey Paula dear! hear me⁠—! Paula Ah! of course, of course! I can’t be so useful to your daughter as such people as this; and so I’m to be given the go-by for any town friend of yours who turns up and chooses to patronise us! Hah! Very well, at any rate, as you take Ellean from me you justify my looking for companions where I can most readily find ’em. Aubrey You wish me to fully appreciate your reason for sending that letter to Lady Orreyed? Paula Precisely⁠—I do. Aubrey And could you, after all, go back to associates of that order? It’s not possible! Paula Mockingly. What, not after the refining influence of these intensely respectable surroundings? Going to the door. We’ll see! Aubrey Paula! Paula Violently. We’ll see! She goes out. He stands still looking after her. Act III

The drawing-room at “Highercoombe.” Facing the spectator are two large French windows, sheltered by a verandah, leading into the garden; on the right is a door opening into a small hall. The fireplace, with