The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Part 54

DRUMMLE.

He left the house half-an-hour ago, to stroll about the lanes; just now a note came from him, a scribble in pencil, simply telling Alice that she would receive a letter from him to-morrow. What's the matter? There's nothing very wrong, is there! My dear chap, pray forgive me if I'm asking too much.

AUBREY.

Cayley, you--you urged me to send her away!

DRUMMLE.

Ellean! Yes, yes. But--but--by all accounts this is quite an eligible young fellow. Alice has been giving me the history----

AUBREY.

Curse him! [_Hurling his book to the floor._] Curse him! Yes, I do curse him--him and his cla.s.s! Perhaps I curse myself too in doing it. He has only led "a man's life"--just as I, how many of us, have done! The misery he has brought on me and mine it's likely enough we, in our time, have helped to bring on others by this leading "a man's life"! But I do curse him for all that. My G.o.d, _I've_ nothing more to fear--I've paid _my_ fine! And so I can curse him in safety.

Curse him! Curse him!

DRUMMLE.

In Heaven's name, tell me what's happened?

AUBREY.

[_Gripping_ DRUMMLE's _arm._] Paula! Paula!

DRUMMLE.

What?

AUBREY.

They met to-night here. They--they--they're not strangers to each other.

DRUMMLE.

Aubrey!

AUBREY.

Curse him! My poor, wretched wife! My poor, wretched wife!

[_The door opens and_ ELLEAN _appears. The two men turn to her. There is a moment's silence._

ELLEAN.

Father ... father...!

AUBREY.

Ellean?

ELLEAN.

I--I want you. [_He goes to her._] Father ... go to Paula! [_He looks into her face, startled._] Quickly--quickly! [_He pa.s.ses her to go out, she seizes his arm, with a cry._] No, no; don't go!

[_He shakes her off and goes._ ELLEAN _staggers back towards_ DRUMMLE.

DRUMMLE.

[_To_ ELLEAN.] What do you mean? What do you mean?

ELLEAN.

I--I went to her room--to tell her I was sorry for something I had said to her. And I _was_ sorry--I _was_ sorry. I heard the fall.

I--I've seen her. It's horrible.

DRUMMLE.

She--she has----!

ELLEAN.

Killed--herself? Yes--yes. So everybody will say. But I know--I helped to kill her. If I had only been merciful!

[_She faints upon the ottoman. He pauses for a moment irresolutely--then he goes to the door, opens it, and stands looking out._