The New Woman Part 56

Way of the world, my dear. My poor old adjutant! went through the Mutiny unscathed, and killed in Rotten Row!

LADY WARGRAVE.

Well, it was quite time that you had a nurse!

[_Rising and going R. front to meet MARGERY._

COLONEL.

Caroline's taken it very well. Nothing like courage in these matters--courage! "Nurse" was distinctly nasty; but that's Caroline's way.

_Re-enter ARMSTRONG, R., followed by MARGERY._

ARMSTRONG.

Found her at last, my lady.

LADY WARGRAVE.

Leave us together, Armstrong.

[_MARGERY drops a curtsey._

ARMSTRONG.

Come with me, Colonel. If you'll step indoors, I'll give you a gla.s.s of ale that'll do your heart good.

COLONEL [_putting his arm through ARMSTRONG'S_].

Caroline takes it very well.

[_Quite forgetting himself._

ARMSTRONG.

My lady's very welcome.

COLONEL [_hastily withdrawing his arm_].

No, no, no! I was talking to myself. [_Exit ARMSTRONG, C., roaring.

Aside, glancing at LADY WARGRAVE._] Nurse!

[_Exit, C._

LADY WARGRAVE.

Margery, I've come to scold you.

MARGERY.

Yes, my lady.

LADY WARGRAVE.

Aunt. Come and sit down by me. [_Draws her towards seat under the tree, L. LADY WARGRAVE sits--MARGERY at her feet._] Yes, Margery, to scold you. Why did you not confide in me? If you had only told me of your troubles, this would never have happened. It was undutiful.

MARGERY.

No, aunt. There are some troubles one can confide to n.o.body--some griefs which are too sacred to be talked about.

LADY WARGRAVE.

And is yours one of them? You are young, Margery; and youth exaggerates its sorrows as well as its joys. Nothing has happened that cannot be put right, if you will only trust me and obey me.

MARGERY.

I owe my obedience elsewhere.

LADY WARGRAVE.

And do you think that you have paid it?

MARGERY.

Yes.

LADY WARGRAVE.

Gerald _desired_ you to leave him?

MARGERY.

No; but I read his thoughts--just as you used to say I could read yours--and I obeyed his wishes.

LADY WARGRAVE.

Then if he wished you to return, you would come back?

MARGERY.

Not if he'd been talked over; not if he asked me to go back to him because he thinks it his duty, or I want him. I don't want duty; I want love.

LADY WARGRAVE.

You wouldn't see him, if I sent him to you?

MARGERY.