The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Part 51

You've always hated me! You shall answer me!

ELLEAN.

Well, then, I have always--always----

PAULA.

What?

ELLEAN.

I have always known what you were!

PAULA.

Ah! Who--who told you?

ELLEAN.

n.o.body but yourself. From the first moment I saw you I knew you were altogether unlike the good women I'd left; directly I saw you I knew what my father had done. You've wondered why I've turned from you!

There--that's the reason! Oh, but this is a horrible way for the truth to come home to every one! Oh!

PAULA.

It's a lie! It's all a lie! [_Forcing_ ELLEAN _down upon her knees._] You shall beg my pardon for it. [_Ellean utters a loud shriek of terror._] Ellean, I'm a good woman! I swear I am! I've always been a good woman! You dare to say I've ever been anything else! It's a lie!

[_Throwing her off violently._

AUBREY _re-enters._

AUBREY.

Paula! [PAULA _staggers back as_ AUBREY _advances. Raising_ ELLEAN.]

What's this? What's this?

ELLEAN.

[_Faintly._] Nothing. It--it's my fault. Father, I--I don't wish to see Captain Ardale again.

[_She goes out,_ AUBREY _slowly following her to the door._

PAULA.

Aubrey, she--she guesses.

AUBREY.

Guesses?

PAULA.

About me--and Ardale.

AUBREY.

About you--and Ardale?

PAULA.

She says she suspected my character from the beginning ... that's why she's always kept me at a distance ... and now she sees through----

[_She falters; he helps her to the ottoman, where she sits._

AUBREY.

[_Bending over her._] Paula, you must have said something--admitted something----

PAULA.

I don't think so. It--it's in my face.

AUBREY.

What?

PAULA.

She tells me so. She's right! I'm tainted through and through; anybody can see it, anybody can find it out. You said much the same to me to-night.

AUBREY.

If she has got this idea into her head we must drive it out, that's all. We must take steps to---- What shall we do? We had better--better----What--what?

[_Sitting and staring before him._

PAULA.

Ellean! So meek, so demure! You've often said she reminded you of her mother. Yes, I know now what your first marriage was like.

AUBREY.

We must drive this idea out of her head. We'll do something. What shall we do?

PAULA.

She's a regular woman too. She could forgive _him_ easily enough--but _me_! That's just a woman!

AUBREY.