The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Part 45

Good-night.

[_She turns away. He goes out, steadying himself carefully.

Drummle appears outside the window, smoking._

DRUMMLE.

[_Looking into the room, and seeing_ PAULA.] My last cigar. Where's Aubrey?

PAULA.

Gone down to The Warren, to see Mrs. Cortelyon home.

DRUMMLE.

[_Entering the room._] Eh? Did you say Mrs. Cortelyon?

PAULA.

Yes. She has brought Ellean back.

DRUMMLE.

Bless my soul! Why?

PAULA.

I--I'm too tired to tell you, Cayley. If you stroll along the lane you'll meet Aubrey. Get the news from him.

DRUMMLE.

[_Going up to the window._] Yes, yes. [_Returning to_ PAULA.] I don't want to bother you, only--the anxious old woman, you know. Are you and Aubrey----?

PAULA.

Good friends again?

DRUMMLE.

[_Nodding._] Um.

PAULA.

[_Giving him her hand._] Quite, Cayley, quite.

DRUMMLE.

[_Retaining her hand._] That's capital. As I'm off so early to-morrow morning, let me say now--thank you for your hospitality.

[_He bends over her hand gallantly, then goes out by the window._

PAULA.

[_To herself._] "Are you and Aubrey----?" "Good friends again?"

"Yes." "Quite, Cayley, quite."

[_There is a brief pause, then_ AUBREY _enters hurriedly, wearing a light overcoat and carrying a cap._

AUBREY.

Paula dear! Have you seen Ellean?

PAULA.

I found her here when I came down.

AUBREY.

She--she's told you?

PAULA.

Yes, Aubrey.

AUBREY.

It's extraordinary, isn't it! Not that somebody should fall in love with Ellean or that Ellean herself should fall in love. All that's natural enough and was bound to happen, I suppose, sooner or later.

But this young fellow! You know his history?

PAULA.

His history?

AUBREY.

You remember the papers were full of his name a few months ago?

PAULA.

Oh, yes.

AUBREY.

The man's as brave as a lion, there's no doubt about that; and, at the same time, he's like a big good-natured schoolboy, Mrs.

Cortelyon says. Have you ever pictured the kind of man Ellean would marry some day?

PAULA.

I can't say that I have.