The Second Mrs. Tanqueray - novelonlinefull.com
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[_He goes out. She remains standing, and turns her head to listen. Then, after a moment's hesitation she goes softly to the window, and looks out under the verandah._
ELLEAN.
[_In a whisper._] Paula! Paula!
[PAULA _appears outside the window and steps into the room; her face is white and drawn, her hair is a little disordered._
PAULA.
[_Huskily._] Well?
ELLEAN.
Have you been under the verandah all the while--listening?
PAULA.
N--no.
ELLEAN.
You _have_ overheard us--I see you have. And it _is_ you who have been speaking to my father against Captain Ardale. Isn't it? Paula, why don't you own it or deny it?
PAULA.
Oh, I--I don't mind owning it; why should I?
ELLEAN.
Ah! You seem to have been very very eager to tell your tale.
PAULA.
No, I wasn't eager, Ellean. I'd have given something not to have had to do it. I wasn't eager.
ELLEAN.
Not! Oh, I think you might safely have spared us all for a little while.
PAULA.
But, Ellean, you forget I--I am your step-mother. It was my--my duty--to tell your father what I--what I knew----
ELLEAN.
What you knew! Why, after all, what can you know! You can only speak from gossip, report, hearsay! How is it possible that you----! [_She stops abruptly. The two women stand staring at each other for a moment; then_ ELLEAN _backs away from_ PAULA _slowly._] Paula!
PAULA.
What--what's the matter?
ELLEAN.
You--you knew Captain Ardale in London!
PAULA.
Why--what do you mean?
ELLEAN.
Oh!
[_She makes for the door, but_ PAULA _catches her by the wrist._
PAULA.
You shall tell me what you mean!
ELLEAN.
Ah! [_Suddenly looking fixedly in_ PAULA'S _face._] You know what I mean.
PAULA.
You accuse me!
ELLEAN.
It's in your face!
PAULA.
[_Hoa.r.s.ely._] You--you think I'm--that sort of creature, do you?
ELLEAN.
Let me go!
PAULA.
Answer me! You've always hated me! [_Shaking her._] Out with it!
ELLEAN.
You hurt me!
PAULA.
