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

dog!⁠—Mrs. Cortelyon, the Orreyeds, this man! What an everlasting nightmare for you! Aubrey Oh, we can forget it, if we choose. Paula That was always your cry. How can one do it! Aubrey Well make our calculations solely for the future, talk about the future, think about the future. Paula I believe the future is only the past again, entered through another gate. Aubrey That’s an awful belief. Paula Tonight proves it. You must see now that, do what we will, go where we will, you’ll be continually reminded of⁠—what I was. I see it. Aubrey You’re frightened tonight; meeting this man has frightened you. But that sort of thing isn’t likely to recur. The world isn’t quite so small as all that. Paula Isn’t it! The only great distances it contains are those we carry within ourselves⁠—the distances that separate husbands and wives, for instance. And so it’ll be with us. You’ll do your best⁠—oh, I know that⁠—you’re a good fellow. But circumstances will be too strong for you in the end, mark my words. Aubrey Paula⁠—! Paula Of course I’m pretty now⁠—I’m pretty still⁠—and a pretty woman, whatever else she may be, is always⁠—well, endurable. But even now I notice that the lines of my face are getting deeper; so are the hollows about my eyes. Yes, my face is covered with little shadows that usen’t to be there. Oh, I know I’m “going off.” I hate paint and dye and those messes, but, by-and-by, I shall drift the way of the others; I shan’t be able to help myself. And then, some day⁠—perhaps very suddenly, under a queer, fantastic light at night or in the glare of the morning⁠—that horrid, irresistible truth that physical repulsion forces on men and women will come to you, and you’ll sicken at me. Aubrey I⁠—! Paula You’ll see me then, at last, with other people’s eyes; you’ll see me just as your daughter does now, as all wholesome folks see women like me. And I shall have no weapon to fight with⁠—not one serviceable little bit of prettiness left me to defend myself with! A worn-out creature⁠—broken up, very likely, sometime before I ought to be⁠—my hair bright, my eyes dull, my body too thin or too stout, my cheeks raddled and ruddled⁠—a ghost, a wreck, a caricature, a candle that gutters, call such an end what you like! Oh, Aubrey, what shall I be able to say to you then? And this is the future you talk about! I know it⁠—I know it! He is still sitting staring forward; she rocks herself to and fro as if in pain. Oh, Aubrey! Oh! Oh! Aubrey Paula⁠—! Trying to comfort her. Paula Oh, and I wanted so much to sleep tonight! Laying her head upon his shoulder. From the distance, in the garden, there comes the sound of Drummle’s voice; he is singing as he approaches the house. That’s Cayley, coming back from The Warren. Starting up. He doesn’t know, evidently. I⁠—I won’t see him! She goes out quickly. Drummle’s voice comes nearer. Aubrey rouses himself and snatches up a book from the table, making a pretence of reading. After a moment or two, Drummle appears at the window and looks in. Drummle Aha! my dear chap! Aubrey Cayley? Drummle Coming into the room. I went down to The Warren after you? Aubrey Yes? Drummle Missed you. Well? I’ve been gossiping with Mrs. Cortelyon. Confound you, I’ve heard the news! Aubrey What have you heard? Drummle What have I heard! Why⁠—Ellean and young Ardale! Looking at Aubrey keenly. My dear Aubrey! Alice is under the impression that you are inclined to look on the affair favourably. Aubrey Rising and advancing to Drummle. You’ve not⁠—met⁠—Captain Ardale? Drummle No. Why do you ask? By the by, I don’t know that I need tell you⁠—but it’s rather strange. He’s not at The Warren tonight. Aubrey No? Drummle He left the house half-an-hour ago, to stroll about the lanes; just now a note came from him, a scribble in pencil, simply telling Alice that she would receive a letter from him tomorrow. What’s the matter? There’s nothing very wrong, is there! My dear chap, pray forgive me if I’m asking too much. Aubrey Cayley, you⁠—you urged me to send her away! Drummle Ellean! Yes, yes. But⁠—but⁠—by all accounts this is quite an eligible young fellow. Alice has been giving me the history⁠— Aubrey Curse him! Hurling his book to the floor. Curse him! Yes, I do curse him⁠—him and his class! Perhaps I curse myself too in doing it. He has only led “a man’s life”⁠—just as I, how many of us, have done! The misery he has brought on me and mine it’s likely enough we, in our time, have helped to bring on others by this leading “a man’s life”! But I do curse him for all that. My God, I’ve nothing more to fear⁠—I’ve paid my fine! And so I can curse him in safety. Curse him! Curse him! Drummle In Heaven’s name, tell me what’s happened? Aubrey Gripping Drummle’s arm. Paula! Paula! Drummle What? Aubrey They met tonight here. They⁠—they⁠—they’re not strangers to each other. Drummle Aubrey! Aubrey Curse him! My poor, wretched wife! My poor, wretched wife! The door opens and Ellean appears. The two men turn to her. There is a moment’s silence. Ellean Father⁠ ⁠… father⁠ ⁠… ! Aubrey Ellean? Ellean I⁠—I want you. He goes to her. Father⁠ ⁠… go to Paula! He looks into her face, startled. Quickly⁠—quickly! He passes her to go out, she seizes his arm, with a cry. No, no; don’t go! He shakes her off and goes. Ellean staggers back towards Drummle. Drummle To Ellean. What do you mean? What do you mean? Ellean I⁠—I went to her room⁠—to tell her I was sorry for something I had said to her. And I was sorry⁠—I was sorry. I heard the fall. I⁠—I’ve seen her. It’s horrible. Drummle She⁠—she has⁠—! Ellean Killed⁠—herself? Yes⁠—yes. So everybody will say. But I know⁠—I helped to kill her. If I had only been merciful! She faints upon the ottoman. He pauses for