A Duet, with an Occasional Chorus Part 18

'No.'

'None of them?'

'No.'

'What did you do with them?'

'I never had most of them.'

'And the others?'

'I destroyed some when I married.'

'That was nice of you. Aren't you sorry?'

'No, I thought it was only right.'

'Were you fondest of dark women or fair?'

'Oh, I don't know. _I_ was never pernickety in MY tastes. You know those lines I read you from Henley: "Handsome, ugly--all are women."

That's a bachelor's sentiment.'

'But do you mean to say, sir--now, you are speaking on your honour, that out of all these forty, there was not one who was prettier than I am?'

'Do let us talk of something else.'

'And not one as clever?'

'How absurd you are to-night, Maude!'

'Come, answer me.'

'I've answered you already.'

'I did not hear you.'

'Oh yes, you did. I said that I had married you, and that shows that I liked you best. I don't compare you quality for quality against every one in the world. That would be absurd. What I say is that your combination of qualities is the one which is most dear to me.'

'Oh, I see,' said Maude dubiously. 'How nice and frank you are!'

'Now I've hurt you!'

'Oh no, not in the least. I like you to be frank. I should hate to think that there was anything you did not dare to tell me.'

'And you, Maude--would you be equally frank with me?'

'Yes, dear, I will. I feel that I owe it to you after your confidence in me. I have had my little experiences too.'

'You!'

'Perhaps you would rather that I said nothing about them. What good can there be in raking up these old stories?'

'No, I had rather you told me.'

'You won't be hurt?'

'No, no--certainly not.'

'You may take it from me, Frank, that if any married woman ever tells her husband that until she saw him she never felt any emotion at the sight of another man, it is simple nonsense. There may be women of that sort about, but I never met them. I don't think I should like them, for they must be dry, cold, unsympathetic, unemotional, unwomanly creatures.'

'Maude, you have loved some one else!'

'I won't deny that I have been interested deeply interested in several men.'

'Several!'

'It was before I had met you, dear. I owed you no duty.'

'You have loved several men.'

'The feeling was for the most part quite superficial. There are many different sorts and degrees of love.'

'Good G.o.d, Maude! How many men inspired this feeling in you?'

'The truth is, Frank, that a healthy young woman who has imagination and a warm heart is attracted by every young man. I know that you wish me to be frank and to return your confidence. But there is a certain kind of young man with whom I always felt my interest deepen.'

'Oh, you did discriminate?'

'Now you are getting bitter. I will say no more.'

'You have said too much. You must go on now.'

'Well, I was only going to say that dark men always had a peculiar fascination for me. I don't know what it is, but the feeling is quite overpowering.'

'Is that why you married a man with flaxen hair?'

'Well, I couldn't expect to find every quality in my husband, could I? It would not be reasonable. I a.s.sure you, dear, that taking your tout ensemble, I like you far the best of all. You may not be the handsomest, and you may not be the cleverest--one cannot expect one's absolute ideal,--but I love you far, far the best of any. I do hope I haven't hurt you by anything I have said.'

'I am sorry I am not your ideal, Maude. It would be absurd to suppose myself anybody's ideal, but I hoped always that the eyes of love transfigured an object and made it seem all right. My hair is past praying for, but if you can point out anything that I can mend-- '

'No, no, I want you just as you are. If I hadn't liked you best, I shouldn't have married you, Frank, should I?'

'But those other experiences?'

'Oh, we had better drop them. What good can it possibly do to discuss my old experiences? It will only annoy you.'

'Not at all. I honour you for your frankness in speaking out, although I acknowledge that it is a little unexpected. Go on.'

'I forget where I was.'