The New Woman Part 38

GERALD.

No, no; my love was real enough, and I love Margery still; but love doesn't seem to bear the wear and tear of marriage--the hourly friction--the continual jar.

MRS. SYLVESTER.

There is no friction in true marriage, Gerald. You say you love your wife, and it is good and loyal of you to deceive yourself; but you can't deceive me. Haven't I made the same mistake myself? I was a thoughtless, inexperienced girl, Jack was a handsome, easy-going man.

We married, and for a year or two we jogged along. But I grew up--the girl became a woman. I read, I thought, I felt; my life enlarged. Jack never reads, never thinks--he is just the same. [_Rising._] I am not unhappy, but my soul is starved--[_goes to mantelpiece and stands looking at him_]--as yours is!

[_Pause. MARGERY'S face appears between the curtains at the back, wearing a broad smile. She grimaces at them, un.o.bserved, and remains there; then looks at GERALD with a long face of mock sympathy._

GERALD.

Well, we must make the best of it!

MRS. SYLVESTER.

Yes, but what _is_ the best? [_MARGERY grimaces at her._] Is our mistake so hopeless, irremediable? After all, is not true loyalty loyalty to oneself?

GERALD [_looks at her_].

You think so?

MRS. SYLVESTER.

Or what becomes of our philosophy?

GERALD.

Yes, what becomes of it?

[_Another pause. MARGERY laughs almost audibly. During the next pa.s.sage the laugh subsides into an expression of perplexity._

MRS. SYLVESTER.

What is a promise when the heart's gone out of it?

GERALD.

Surely it is a promise.

MRS. SYLVESTER.

To an empty phrase must one sacrifice one's life? Must one stake everything on the judgment of one's youth? By the decision of a moment must one be bound for ever? Must one go through the world "with quiet eyes unfaithful to the truth?" Does one not owe a duty to oneself?

There can be but one answer!

GERALD [_absently_].

Margery! [_MARGERY winces as if struck--quite serious now. Then with energy._] But, Agnes, Margery is impossible! She's no companion to me!

I am all alone! Her very laughter grates upon me! There's no meaning in it! It is the laughter of a tomboy, of a clown! And she will never learn! She's hopeless, Agnes, hopeless! [_MARGERY drops back horror-struck, but her face disappears only by degrees. MRS. SYLVESTER lays her hand on him. Another pause. The curtains close._] What is one to do? [_Rising._

MRS. SYLVESTER.

We are face to face with the problem! Let us confront it boldly.

Gerald, do you love me?

[_A thud behind the curtains. GERALD starts guiltily. Pause. They stand looking at one another._

GERALD [_in a whisper_].

What was that? [_Goes up cautiously and draws curtains back, discovering MARGERY stretched senseless on the floor._] Margery!

ACT III.

_A Fortnight Later._

SCENE.--_Drawing-room at LADY WARGRAVE'S. Main entrance C., Conservatory R. Entrance, L., to an inner room. Fireplace, R., up stage, near which is LADY WARGRAVE'S chair, with the cus.h.i.+on of Act I._

_The stage is discovered half-filled with Guests, who stand and sit in groups, including COLONEL, CAPTAIN and MRS. SYLVESTER, and GERALD.

LADY WARGRAVE is receiving her guests. A buzz of general conversation; and a band is heard playing in the inner room, loudly at first, but softly after the picture is discovered._

SERVANT [_at entrance C._].

Miss Vivash and Mr. Pettigrew!

_Enter VICTORIA, followed leisurely by PERCY, a very young man who is always smiling to himself, unconsciously._

VICTORIA [_going straight to LADY WARGRAVE and grasping her hand_].

Good evening, Lady Wargrave, I have taken the liberty of bringing a friend whose name is no doubt known to you--Mr. Percy Pettigrew.

[_PERCY bows distantly, smiling._

LADY WARGRAVE.

Pettigrew, did you say?

PERCY.

Percy _Bysshe_ Pettigrew.

[_Smiling._

LADY WARGRAVE.

Of course! _two_ of your names are _quite_ well known to me; it is only the surname that is unfamiliar.