The New Woman Part 48

GERALD.

No, no!

MARGERY.

Be careful, or she'll steal your honour too. Don't trust to her fine phrases. She deceives herself. She wants your love, that's what that woman wants: not to instruct the world--just to be happy--nothing more or less; but she won't make you happy or herself. If I am no companion, she's a bad one!

GERALD.

 

You wrong her, Margery--indeed, you do! _I_ was the culprit----

MARGERY.

Have some pity on me! Don't let the last words I shall hear you say be words defending her! Think what she's done for me! Think how you loved me when you married me--think what our two lives might have been, but for her--think what mine _will_ be! for mine won't be like yours. Your love is dead, and you will bury it, but mine's alive--alive!

[_Breaks down._

GERALD.

And so is mine!

MARGERY [_springs up_].

Don't soil your lips with lies! I've borne as much as I can bear. I can't bear that!

GERALD.

If you will only listen----

MARGERY.

I have heard too much! Don't speak again, or you will make me hate you! My mind's made up. I have no business here! You are above me. I'm no wife for you! I'm dragging you down every day and hour.

GERALD.

Margery! you shall not go!

MARGERY [_flinging him off_].

To-night and now! Good-bye!

[_Rushes into conservatory, R._

GERALD.

What right have I to stop her?

[_Goes up, leans upon chair. Re-enter SYLVESTER, C._

SYLVESTER.

Now, Mr. Cazenove, I am at your service.

GERALD.

You are too late.

[_Exit, C._

SYLVESTER.

So, he won't speak to me. But I will make him. If he thinks I am caught, like a rat in a trap, he's made a mistake. There'll be a scandal--well, so much the better! Better that they should know the truth all round.

_Re-enter MRS. SYLVESTER, L._

MRS. SYLVESTER.

Ah, you are here! I've been looking for you everywhere.

SYLVESTER.

Looking for _me?_

MRS. SYLVESTER.

I want you to take me home.

SYLVESTER.

I've something to say to you. Sit down.

MRS. SYLVESTER.

Not to-night. I'm tired.

SYLVESTER.

Yes, to-night. What I'm going to say may be everybody's property to-morrow. I choose that you should know it now.

MRS. SYLVESTER.

I don't understand you.

SYLVESTER.

But you shall. I've often heard you say that a loveless marriage is no marriage. Well, ours is loveless enough, isn't it?

MRS. SYLVESTER.