The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Part 23

She's upstairs putting on a hat, I believe.

MRS. CORTELYON.

[_Sitting comfortably._] Ah! [_She looks round:_ DRUMMLE _and_ ELLEAN _are talking together in the hall._] We used to be very frank with each other, Aubrey. I suppose the old footing is no longer possible, eh?

AUBREY.

If so, I'm not entirely to blame, Mrs. Cortelyon.

MRS. CORTELYON.

Mrs. Cortelyon? H'm! No, I admit it. But you must make some little allowance for me, _Mr. Tanqueray_. Your first wife and I, as girls, were like two cherries on one stalk, and then I was the confidential friend of your married life. That post, perhaps, wasn't altogether a sinecure. And now--well, when a woman gets to my age I suppose she's a stupid, prejudiced, conventional creature. However, I've got over it and--[_giving him her hand_]--I hope you'll be enormously happy and let me be a friend once more.

AUBREY.

Thank you, Alice.

MRS. CORTELYON.

That's right. I feel more cheerful than I've done for weeks. But I suppose it would serve me right if the second Mrs. Tanqueray showed me the door. Do you think she will?

AUBREY.

[_Listening._] Here is my wife. [MRS. CORTELYON _rises, and_ PAULA _enters, dressed for driving; she stops abruptly on seeing_ MRS.

CORTELYON.] Paula dear, Mrs. Cortelyon has called to see you.

[PAULA _starts, looks at_ MRS. CORTELYON _irresolutely, then after a slight pause barely touches_ MRS.

CORTELYON'S _extended hand._

PAULA.

[_Whose manner now alternates between deliberate insolence and a.s.sumed sweetness._] Mrs.----? What name, Aubrey?

AUBREY.

Mrs. Cortelyon.

PAULA.

Cortelyon? Oh, yes. Cortelyon.

MRS. CORTELYON.

[_Carefully guarding herself throughout against any expression of resentment._] Aubrey ought to have told you that Alice Cortelyon and he are very old friends.

PAULA.

Oh, very likely he has mentioned the circ.u.mstance. I have quite a wretched memory.

MRS. CORTELYON.

You know we are neighbours, Mrs. Tanqueray.

PAULA.

Neighbours? Are we really? Won't you sit down? [_They both sit._]

Neighbours! That's most interesting!

MRS. CORTELYON.

Very near neighbours. You can see my roof from your windows.

PAULA.

I fancy I _have_ observed a roof. But you have been away from home; you have only just returned.

MRS. CORTELYON.

I? What makes you think that?

PAULA.

Why, because it is two months since we came to Highercoombe, and I don't remember your having called.

MRS. CORTELYON.

Your memory is now terribly accurate. No, I've not been away from home, and it is to explain my neglect that I am here, rather unceremoniously, this morning.

PAULA.

Oh, to explain--quite so. [_With mock solicitude._] Ah, you've been very ill; I ought to have seen that before.

MRS. CORTELYON.

Ill!

PAULA.

You look dreadfully pulled down. We poor women show illness so plainly in our faces, don't we?

AUBREY.

[_Anxiously._] Paula dear, Mrs. Cortelyon is the picture of health.

MRS. CORTELYON.

[_With some asperity._] I have never _felt_ better in my life.