The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Part 43

Good-night.

[_He disappears. She walks unsteadily to the ottoman, and sits; and as she does so her hand falls upon the little silver mirror, which she takes up, staring at her own reflection._

THE FOURTH ACT

_The Drawing room at "Highercoombe," the same evening._

PAULA _is still seated on the ottoman, looking vacantly before her, with the little mirror in her hand._ LADY ORREYED _enters._

LADY ORREYED.

There you are! You never came into the billiard-room. Isn't it maddening--Cayley Drummle gives me sixty out of a hundred and beats me. I must be out of form, because I know I play remarkably well for a lady. Only last month---- [PAULA _rises._] Whatever is the matter with you, old girl?

PAULA.

Why?

LADY ORREYED.

[_Staring._] It's the light, I suppose. [PAULA _replaces the mirror on the table._] By Aubrey's bolting from the billiard-table in that fas.h.i.+on I thought perhaps----

PAULA.

Yes; it's all right.

LADY ORREYED.

You've patched it up? [PAULA _nods._] Oh, I am jolly glad----! I mean----

PAULA.

Yes, I know what you mean. Thanks, Mabel.

LADY ORREYED.

[_Kissing_ PAULA.] Now take my advice; for the future----

PAULA.

Mabel, if I've been disagreeable to you while you've been staying here, I--I beg your pardon.

[_Walking away and sitting down._

LADY ORREYED.

You disagreeable, my dear? I haven't noticed it. Dodo and me both consider you make a first-cla.s.s hostess, but then you've had such practice, haven't you? [_Dropping on to the ottoman and gaping._]

Oh, talk about being sleepy----!

PAULA.

Why don't you----!

LADY ORREYED.

Why, dear, I must hang about for Dodo. You may as well know it; he's in one of his moods.

PAULA.

[_Under her breath._] Oh----!

LADY ORREYED.

Now, it's not his fault; it was deadly dull for him while we were playing billiards. Cayley Drummle did ask him to mark, but I stopped that; it's so easy to make a gentleman look like a billiard-marker.

This is just how it always is; if poor old Dodo has nothing to do, he loses count, as you may say.

PAULA.

Hark!

SIR GEORGE ORREYED _enters, walking slowly and deliberately; he looks pale and watery-eyed._

SIR GEORGE.

[_With mournful indistinctness._] I'm 'fraid we've lef' you a grea'

deal to yourself to-night, Mrs. Tanqueray. Attra'tions of billiards.

I apol'gise. I say, where's ol' Aubrey?

PAULA.

My husband has been obliged to go out to a neighbour's house.

SIR GEORGE.

I want his advice on a rather pressing matter connected with my family--my family. [_Sitting._] To-morrow will do just as well.

LADY ORREYED.

[_To_ PAULA.] This is the mood I hate so--drivelling about his precious family.

SIR GEORGE.

The fact is, Mrs. Tanqueray, I am not easy in my min' 'bout the way I am treatin' my poor ol' mother.