The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Part 50

[_He goes out. She remains standing, and turns her head to listen. Then, after a moment's hesitation she goes softly to the window, and looks out under the verandah._

ELLEAN.

[_In a whisper._] Paula! Paula!

[PAULA _appears outside the window and steps into the room; her face is white and drawn, her hair is a little disordered._

PAULA.

[_Huskily._] Well?

ELLEAN.

Have you been under the verandah all the while--listening?

PAULA.

N--no.

ELLEAN.

You _have_ overheard us--I see you have. And it _is_ you who have been speaking to my father against Captain Ardale. Isn't it? Paula, why don't you own it or deny it?

PAULA.

Oh, I--I don't mind owning it; why should I?

ELLEAN.

Ah! You seem to have been very very eager to tell your tale.

PAULA.

No, I wasn't eager, Ellean. I'd have given something not to have had to do it. I wasn't eager.

ELLEAN.

Not! Oh, I think you might safely have spared us all for a little while.

PAULA.

But, Ellean, you forget I--I am your step-mother. It was my--my duty--to tell your father what I--what I knew----

ELLEAN.

What you knew! Why, after all, what can you know! You can only speak from gossip, report, hearsay! How is it possible that you----! [_She stops abruptly. The two women stand staring at each other for a moment; then_ ELLEAN _backs away from_ PAULA _slowly._] Paula!

PAULA.

What--what's the matter?

ELLEAN.

You--you knew Captain Ardale in London!

PAULA.

Why--what do you mean?

ELLEAN.

Oh!

[_She makes for the door, but_ PAULA _catches her by the wrist._

PAULA.

You shall tell me what you mean!

ELLEAN.

Ah! [_Suddenly looking fixedly in_ PAULA'S _face._] You know what I mean.

PAULA.

You accuse me!

ELLEAN.

It's in your face!

PAULA.

[_Hoa.r.s.ely._] You--you think I'm--that sort of creature, do you?

ELLEAN.

Let me go!

PAULA.

Answer me! You've always hated me! [_Shaking her._] Out with it!

ELLEAN.

You hurt me!

PAULA.