The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Part 49

From--Paula!

ELLEAN.

She knows him.

AUBREY.

She has told you so?

ELLEAN.

When I introduced Captain Ardale to her she said she had met him in London. Of course! It is Paula who has done this!

AUBREY.

[_In a hard voice._] I--I hope you--you'll refrain from rushing at conclusions. There's nothing to be gained by trying to avoid the main point, which is that you must drive Captain Ardale out of your thoughts. Understand that! You're able to obtain comfort from your religion, aren't you? I'm glad to think that's so. I talk to you in a harsh way, Ellean, but I feel your pain almost as acutely as you do. [_Going to the door._] I--I can't say anything more to you to-night.

ELLEAN.

Father! [_He pauses at the door._] Father, I'm obliged to ask you this; there's no help for it--I've no mother to go to. Does what you have heard about Captain Ardale concern the time when he led a wild, a dissolute life in London?

AUBREY.

[_Returning to her slowly and staring at her._] Explain yourself!

ELLEAN.

He has been quite honest with me. One day--in Paris--he confessed to me--what a man's life is--what his life had been.

AUBREY.

[_Under his breath._] Oh!

ELLEAN.

He offered to go away, not to approach me again.

AUBREY.

And you--you accepted his view of what a man's life is!

ELLEAN.

As far as _I_ could forgive him, I forgave him.

AUBREY.

[_With a groan._] Why, when was it you left us? It hasn't taken you long to get your robe "just a little dusty at the hem!"

ELLEAN.

What do you mean?

AUBREY.

Hah! A few weeks ago my one great desire was to keep you ignorant of evil.

ELLEAN.

Father, it is impossible to be ignorant of evil. Instinct, common instinct, teaches us what is good and bad. Surely I am none the worse for knowing what is wicked and detesting it!

AUBREY.

Detesting it! Why, you love this fellow!

ELLEAN.

Ah, you don't understand! I have simply judged Captain Ardale as we all pray to be judged. I have lived in imagination through that one week in India when he deliberately offered his life back to G.o.d to save those wretched, desperate people. In his whole career I see now nothing but that one week; those few hours bring him nearer the Saints, I believe, than fifty uneventful years of mere blamelessness would have done! And so, father, if Paula has reported anything to Captain Ardale's discredit----

AUBREY.

Paula----!

ELLEAN.

It must be Paula; it can't be anybody else.

AUBREY.

You--you'll please keep Paula out of the question. Finally, Ellean, understand me--I have made up my mind.

[_Again going to the door._

ELLEAN.

But wait--listen! I have made up my mind also.

AUBREY.

Ah! I recognise your mother in you now!

ELLEAN.

You need not speak against my mother because you are angry with me!

AUBREY.

I--I hardly know what I'm saying to you. In the morning--in the morning----