Stephen Archer, and Other Tales Part 45

_Ger._ Oh, nothing, aunt. I was only thinking how difficult it is to understand people.

_Mrs. C._ If you mean Constance, I agree with you. She is a most provoking girl.

_Ger._ (_smiling_) I am sorry to hear that, aunt.

_Mrs. C._ I'm very glad you were never so silly as take a fancy to the girl. She would have led you a pretty dance! If you saw how she treats that unfortunate Waterfield! But what's bred in the bone won't out of the flesh.

_Ger._ There's nothing bred in her I would have out, aunt.

_Mrs. C._ Perhaps she originated her vulgarity. That is a shade worse.

_Ger. Vulgarity_, aunt! I cannot remember the meaning of the word when I think of _her_.

_Mrs. C._ If you choose to insult me, Arthur--

_Exit_.

_Ger._ It is high time I were gone! If I should be called in now to settle matters between--William! William!--William!

_Enter_ COL. G.

_Ger._ To-morrow, William. Not a word. If you will go with me, I shall be glad. If you will not, I shall go without you.

_Exit_.

_Col. G._ Yes, sir.--I wish Warren were here with the old man. I don't know what to do till he comes.

_Enter_ CONSTANCE.

_Con._ I thought my aunt was here, William.

_Col. G._ No, miss. She was here, but she's gone again.

_Con._ Could I see Mr. Gervaise for a moment?

_Col. G._ Certainly, miss. I'll tell him.

_Con._ Is he still determined on going, William?

_Col. G._ Yes, miss;--to-morrow, he says.

_Con._ To-morrow!

_Col. G._ Yes, miss. I think he means to start for Dover in the morning.

_Con._ What am I to do?

_Col. G._ What's the matter, miss?

_Con._ What _can_ I do? I know he is angry with me. I don't quite know why. I wish I had never--I can't help it now. My heart will break.

(_Weeps_.)

_Col. G._ Don't let him go to Dover to-morrow, miss.

_Con._ He would have listened to me once. He won't now. It's all so different! Everything has gone wrong somehow.

_Col. G._ Do try to keep him from going, miss.

_Con._ He would but think me forward. I could bear anything better than have him think ill of me.

_Col. G._ No fear of that, miss. The danger is all the other way.

_Con._ What other way, William?

_Col. G._ He thinks you don't care a bit about him.

_Exit_. CONSTANCE _drops on the dais, nearly under the veiled Psyche_.

_Enter_ GER. _and stands a moment regarding her_.

_Ger._ Constance.

_Con._ (_starting up, and flying to him with her hands clasped_) Arthur! Arthur! don't go. I can't bear you to go. It's all my fault, but do forgive me! Oh, do, do--_dear_ Arthur! Don't go to-morrow. I shall be miserable if you do.

_Ger._ But why, my--why, Constance?

_Con._ I _was_ your Constance once.

_Ger._ But why should I not go? n.o.body wants me here.

_Con._ Oh, Arthur! how can you be so cruel? Can it be that--? Do say something. If you won't say anything, how can I know what you are thinking--what you wish? Perhaps you don't like--I would--I have--I won't--Oh, Arthur! do say something.

_Ger._ I have nothing to say, Constance.

_Con._ Then I _have_ lost you--altogether! I dare say I deserve it. I hardly know. G.o.d help me! What can I have done so very wicked? Oh! why did you take me out of the streets? I should have been used to them by this time! They are terrible to me now. No, no, Arthur! I thank you--thank you--with my very soul! What might I not have been by this time! But I used to lie in that corner, and I daren't now!

_Enter_ COL. G. _behind_.

It was a happy time, for I had not offended you then. Good-bye. Won't you say one word to me?--You will never see me again.

_She pauses a moment; then exit weeping--by the back door, behind the Psyche_. COL. G. _follows her_.

_Ger._ How _could_ she love that fellow? (_Looking up_.) Gone? gone!

My Constance! My Psyche! I've driven her into the wild street!

O my G.o.d! William! William! Constance! Which door? I won't go, Constance--I won't. I will do anything you ask me. What was that she said?--_Good-bye_! G.o.d in heaven!--William! you idiot! where are you?

William!

_He rushes out by the front door. Re-enter_ COL. G. _by the back door_.