The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Part 48

No.

ELLEAN.

You are angry with him; so was I. But to-morrow when he calls and expresses his regret--to-morrow----

AUBREY.

Ellean--Ellean!

ELLEAN.

Yes, papa?

AUBREY.

I--I can't let you see this man again. [_He walks away from her in a paroxysm of distress, then, after a moment or two, he returns to her and takes her to his arms._] Ellean! my child!

ELLEAN.

[_Releasing herself._] What has happened, papa? What is it?

AUBREY.

[_Thinking out his words deliberately._] Something has occurred, something has come to my knowledge, in relation to Captain Ardale, which puts any further acquaintances.h.i.+p between you two out of the question.

ELLEAN.

Any further acquaintances.h.i.+p ... out of the question?

AUBREY.

Yes.

[_Advancing to her quickly, but she shrinks from him._

ELLEAN.

No, no--I am quite well. [_After a short pause._] It's not an hour ago since Mrs. Cortelyon left you and me together here; you had nothing to urge against Captain Ardale then.

AUBREY.

No.

ELLEAN.

You don't know each other; you haven't even seen him this evening.

Father!

AUBREY.

I have told you he and I have not met.

ELLEAN.

Mrs. Cortelyon couldn't have spoken against him to you just now. No, no, no; she's too good a friend to both of us. Aren't you going to give me some explanation? You can't take this position towards me--towards Captain Ardale--without affording me the fullest explanation.

AUBREY.

Ellean, there are circ.u.mstances connected with Captain Ardale's career which you had better remain ignorant of. It must be sufficient for you that I consider these circ.u.mstances render him unfit to be your husband.

ELLEAN.

Father!

AUBREY.

You must trust me, Ellean; you must try to understand the depth of my love for you and the--the agony it gives me to hurt you. You must trust me.

ELLEAN.

I will, father; but you must trust me a little too. Circ.u.mstances connected with Captain Ardale's career?

AUBREY.

Yes.

ELLEAN.

When he presents himself here to-morrow of course you will see him and let him defend himself?

AUBREY.

Captain Ardale will not be here to-morrow.

ELLEAN.

Not! You have stopped his coming here?

AUBREY.

Indirectly--yes.

ELLEAN.

But just now he was talking to me at that window! Nothing had taken place then! And since then nothing can have----! Oh! Why--you have heard something against him from Paula.

AUBREY.