The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Part 25

PAULA.

Ah!

ELLEAN.

That is, if--if----

PAULA.

If--if what?

ELLEAN.

_[Looking towards_ AUBREY, _appealingly._] Papa!

PAULA.

[_In a hard voice._] Oh, of course--I forgot. [_To_ AUBREY.] My dear Aubrey, it rests with you, naturally, whether I am--to lose--Ellean.

AUBREY.

Lose Ellean! [_Advancing to_ PAULA.] There is no question of losing Ellean. You would see Ellean in town constantly when she returned from Paris; isn't that so, Mrs. Cortelyon?

MRS. CORTELYON.

Certainly.

PAULA.

[_Laughing softly._] Oh, I didn't know I should be allowed that privilege.

MRS. CORTELYON.

Privilege, my dear Mrs. Tanqueray!

PAULA.

Ha, ha! that makes all the difference, doesn't it?

AUBREY.

[_With a.s.sumed gaiety._] All the difference? I should think so!

[_To_ ELLEAN, _laying his hand upon her head, tenderly._] And you are quite certain you wish to see what the world is like on the other side of Black Moor?

ELLEAN.

If you are willing, papa, I am quite certain.

AUBREY.

[_Looking at_ PAULA _irresolutely, then speaking with an effort._]

Then I--I am willing.

PAULA.

[_Rising and striking the table lightly with her clenched hand._]

That decides it! [_There is a general movement. Excitedly to_ MRS.

CORTELYON, _who advances towards her._] When do you want her?

MRS. CORTELYON.

We go to town this afternoon at five o'clock, and sleep to-night at Bayliss's. There is barely time for her to make her preparations.

PAULA.

I will undertake that she is ready.

MRS. CORTELYON.

I've a great deal to scramble through at home too, as you may guess.

Good-bye!

PAULA.

[_Turning away._] Mrs. Cortelyon is going.

[PAULA _stands looking out of the window, with her back to those in the room._

MRS. CORTELYON.

[_To_ DRUMMLE.] Cayley----

DRUMMLE.

[_To her._] Eh?

MRS. CORTELYON.

I've gone through it, for the sake of Aubrey and his child, but I--I feel a hundred. Is that a mad-woman?

DRUMMLE.

Of course; all jealous women are mad.

[_He goes out with_ AUBREY.

MRS. CORTELYON.