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OTTOLINE.
To the young, I a.s.sume; scarcely to the aged widow----!
PHILIP.
Or the grey-haired scribbler! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
OTTOLINE.
Ha, ha, ha, ha----!
[_He turns and advances to her slowly, looking at her fixedly and earnestly._
PHILIP.
Ottoline--I wonder whether you'd care to walk under those trees with me again, for sentiment's sake, some fine day in the future----!
OTTOLINE.
[_Staring at him._] C-care----?
PHILIP.
And if you would, whether I ought to tempt you to risk it!
OTTOLINE.
[_Rising, smiling but discomposed._] To--to risk finding that _le lait n'est pas cremeux_, do you mean?
PHILIP.
[_Tenderly._] To risk even that. [_Drawing nearer to her._] Otto----!
OTTOLINE.
I--I should be delighted--if--if ever----
PHILIP.
No, no; not as friends, Otto--save in the best sense----
OTTOLINE.
[_Faintly._] I--I don't----
PHILIP.
As husband and wife. [_She stands quite still._] Husband and wife! Some day when I've achieved a solid success; when I've captured the great public, and can come to you, not as a poor, struggling writer, but holding my prizes in both hands!
OTTOLINE.
[_Putting her hand to her forehead._] It--it's not too late, is it?
PHILIP.
[_Recoiling._] Too late--for me--to be successful?
OTTOLINE.
[_Pa.s.sionately._] Oh, my G.o.d, don't say that to me--[_going to him, and clinging to him_] too late for me to recover a little of what I've lost!
PHILIP.
[_Pressing her to him._] Ah! Too late for neither of us. It's a bargain?
OTTOLINE.
Yes--yes; but----
PHILIP.
But----?
OTTOLINE.
[_Her head drooping._] Must it be--_some_ day? [_Piteously._] _Some_ day!
PHILIP.
There are signs in the sky; the day isn't far distant!
OTTOLINE.
I--I've money, Philip----
PHILIP.
H'sssh! [_Frowning._] Ottoline!
OTTOLINE.
_Ah, je vois que votre orgueil est plus fort que votre amour!_
PHILIP.
Ha, ha! _Peut-etre; je ne m'en defends pas._ You consent?
OTTOLINE.
