The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Part 31

I must.

PAULA.

Oh, this house is becoming unendurable.

DRUMMLE.

You're very kind. But you've got the Orreyeds.

PAULA.

[_Fiercely._] The Orreyeds! I--I hate the Orreyeds! I lie awake at night, hating them!

DRUMMLE.

Pardon me, I've understood that their visit is, in some degree, owing to--hem!--your suggestion.

PAULA.

Heavens! that doesn't make me like them better. Somehow or another, I--I've outgrown these people. This woman--I used to think her "jolly!"--sickens me. I can't breathe when she's near me: the whiff of her handkerchief turns me faint! And she patronises me by the hour, until I--I feel my nails growing longer with every word she speaks!

DRUMMLE.

My dear lady, why on earth don't you say all this to Aubrey?

PAULA.

Oh, I've been such an utter fool, Cayley!

DRUMMLE.

[_Soothingly._] Well, well, mention it to Aubrey!

PAULA.

No, no, you don't understand. What do you think I've done?

DRUMMLE.

Done! What, _since_ you invited the Orreyeds?

PAULA.

Yes; I must tell you----

DRUMMLE.

Perhaps you'd better not.

PAULA.

Look here. I've intercepted some letters from Mrs. Cortelyon and Ellean to--him. [_Producing three unopened letters from the bodice of her dress._] There are the accursed things! From Paris--two from the Cortelyon woman, the other from Ellean!

DRUMMLE.

But why--why?

PAULA.

I don't know. Yes, I do! I saw letters coming from Ellean to her father; not a line to me--not a line. And one morning it happened I was downstairs before he was, and I spied this one lying with his heap on the breakfast-table, and I slipped it into my pocket--out of malice, Cayley, pure devilry! And a day or two afterwards I met Elwes the postman at the Lodge, and took the letters from him, and found these others amongst 'em. I felt simply fiendish when I saw them--fiendish! [_Returning the letters to her bodice._] And now I carry them about with me, and they're scorching me like a mustard plaster!

DRUMMLE.

Oh, this accounts for Aubrey not hearing from Paris lately!

PAULA.

That's an ingenious conclusion to arrive at! Of course it does!

[_With an hysterical laugh._] Ha, ha!

DRUMMLE.

Well, well! [_Laughing._] Ha, ha, ha!

PAULA.

[_Turning upon him._] I suppose it _is_ amusing!

DRUMMLE.

I beg pardon.

PAULA.

Heaven knows I've little enough to brag about! I'm a bad lot, but not in mean tricks of this sort. In all my life this is the most caddish thing I've done. How am I to get rid of these letters--that's what I want to know? How am I to get rid of them?

DRUMMLE.

If I were you I should take Aubrey aside and put them into his hands as soon as possible.

PAULA.

What! and tell him to his face that I----! No, thank you. I suppose _you_ wouldn't like to----

DRUMMLE.

No, no; I won't touch 'em!