The Big Drum Part 15

[_Pouting._] I may let my people know of the arrangement, may I not?

You'll see them?

PHILIP.

My dear, what would be gained by that _now_?

OTTOLINE.

It would enable you to come often to Ennismore Gardens, and have cosy teas with me in my room. We couldn't be--what we _are_--on the sly indefinitely; it's impracticable. There'll be a storm at first, but it will soon blow over. [_Making a wry face._] Still, if you'd rather----

PHILIP.

No, no; I'll see them, if you wish me to. [_Nodding._] We'll be open and above-board from the start.

OTTOLINE.

Ha, ha! [_Sighing happily._] Ah-h-h-h!

PHILIP.

[_His tone changing to one of misgiving._] Ah, Otto, I begin to be afraid that I oughtn't--that I oughtn't to have spoken to you----

OTTOLINE.

Why?

PHILIP.

[_Gravely._] You will never be patient--you'll never be content to wait, if need be!

OTTOLINE.

Content, no. But _patient_! [_In a whisper._] Shall I tell you a secret?

PHILIP.

Well?

OTTOLINE.

I've been waiting--waiting for you--in my dreams--for ten years!

PHILIP.

[_Ardently._] Otto----!

OTTOLINE.

Isn't _that_ patience?

[_Their lips meet in a lingering kiss. The handle of the door on the left is heard to rattle. Looking at the door, they draw back from one another. The handle rattles again._

PHILIP.

It's that idiot Robbie.

OTTOLINE.

Ha, ha, ha, ha----!

[_The door opens, and_ ROOPE _appears, with an air of unconcern._

ROOPE.

[_Humming._] Tra, lal, lal, la----! _That's_ done, dear excellent friends! [_Closing the door, and coming forward._] Upon my word, letters are the curse of one's existence----!

OTTOLINE.

Ha, ha----! [_Seizing him._] Robbie----!

ROOPE.

[_Startled._] Hey?

OTTOLINE.

I can't take you to Lady Paulton's--or anywhere else. Philip and I are going to spend the rest of the afternoon here, if you'll let us--and talk--and talk----! [_Suddenly embracing him, and kissing him upon the cheek._] Ah! _Que vous etes gentil! Merci--merci--merci----!_ [_Sitting in the chair on the left and unpinning her hat._] Ha, ha, ha, ha----!

ROOPE.

[_Turning to_ PHILIP, _his eyes bolting._] Phil----!

PHILIP.

[_Nodding._] Yes. [_Wringing_ ROOPE_'s hand._] Much obliged, Robbie.

END OF THE FIRST ACT

THE SECOND ACT

_The scene is a morning-room, richly furnished and decorated, in a house in Ennismore Gardens. The walls are of panelled wood for two-thirds of their height, the rest being covered with silk. In the wall at the back, between the centre and the left-hand corner, there is a handsome double-door opening upon another door, covered in thick cloth, which is supposed to give admittance to the library. On the right, in a piece of wall running obliquely towards the spectator from the back wall to the right-hand wall, is a companion double-door to that on the left, with the difference that the panels of the upper part of this door are glazed. A silk curtain obscures the glazed panels to the height of about seven feet from the floor, and above the curtain there is a view of a s.p.a.cious hall. When the glazed door is opened, it is seen that the hall is appropriately furnished. A window is at the further end of it, letting in light from the street, and on the right of the window there is a lofty screen arranged in such a manner as to suggest that it conceals the front door of the house._

_The fireplace, where a bank of flowers hides the grate, is in the left-hand wall of the room. On the further side of the fireplace there is an armchair, and before the fireplace a settee. Behind the settee, also facing the fireplace, are a writing-table and chair; close to the further side of the writing-table is a smaller chair; and at the nearer end of the settee, but at some distance from it, stands a low-backed arm-chair which is turned in the direction of the door on the right._