The Big Drum Part 14

OTTOLINE.

To the young, I a.s.sume; scarcely to the aged widow----!

PHILIP.

Or the grey-haired scribbler! Ha, ha, ha, ha!

OTTOLINE.

Ha, ha, ha, ha----!

[_He turns and advances to her slowly, looking at her fixedly and earnestly._

PHILIP.

Ottoline--I wonder whether you'd care to walk under those trees with me again, for sentiment's sake, some fine day in the future----!

OTTOLINE.

[_Staring at him._] C-care----?

PHILIP.

And if you would, whether I ought to tempt you to risk it!

OTTOLINE.

[_Rising, smiling but discomposed._] To--to risk finding that _le lait n'est pas cremeux_, do you mean?

PHILIP.

[_Tenderly._] To risk even that. [_Drawing nearer to her._] Otto----!

OTTOLINE.

I--I should be delighted--if--if ever----

PHILIP.

No, no; not as friends, Otto--save in the best sense----

OTTOLINE.

[_Faintly._] I--I don't----

PHILIP.

As husband and wife. [_She stands quite still._] Husband and wife! Some day when I've achieved a solid success; when I've captured the great public, and can come to you, not as a poor, struggling writer, but holding my prizes in both hands!

OTTOLINE.

[_Putting her hand to her forehead._] It--it's not too late, is it?

PHILIP.

[_Recoiling._] Too late--for me--to be successful?

OTTOLINE.

[_Pa.s.sionately._] Oh, my G.o.d, don't say that to me--[_going to him, and clinging to him_] too late for me to recover a little of what I've lost!

PHILIP.

[_Pressing her to him._] Ah! Too late for neither of us. It's a bargain?

OTTOLINE.

Yes--yes; but----

PHILIP.

But----?

OTTOLINE.

[_Her head drooping._] Must it be--_some_ day? [_Piteously._] _Some_ day!

PHILIP.

There are signs in the sky; the day isn't far distant!

OTTOLINE.

I--I've money, Philip----

PHILIP.

H'sss.h.!.+ [_Frowning._] Ottoline!

OTTOLINE.

_Ah, je vois que votre orgueil est plus fort que votre amour!_

PHILIP.

Ha, ha! _Peut-etre; je ne m'en defends pas._ You consent?

OTTOLINE.