The Greater Inclination Part 17

_Warland_. I beg your pardon.

_Isabel_. Oh, it was only a subterfuge to conceal the fact that I have no distinct recollection of my reasons. The fact is, a girl's motives in marrying are like a pa.s.sport--apt to get mislaid. One is so seldom asked for either. But mine certainly couldn't have been mercenary: I never heard a mother praise you to her daughters.

_Warland_. No, I never was much of a match.

_Isabel_. You impugn my judgment.

_Warland_. If I only had a head for business, now, I might have done something by this time. But I'd sooner break stones in the road.

_Isabel_. It must be very hard to get an opening in that profession. So many of my friends have aspired to it, and yet I never knew any one who actually did it.

_Warland_. If I could only get the secretarys.h.i.+p. How that kind of life would suit you! It's as much for you that I want it--

_Isabel_. And almost as much for the butcher. Don't belittle the circle of your benevolence. (_She walks across the room_.) Three o'clock already--and Marian asked me to give orders about the carriages. Let me see--Mr. Oberville is the first arrival; if you'll ring I will send word to the stable. I suppose you'll stay now?

_Warland_. Stay?

_Isabel_. Not go to Was.h.i.+ngton. I thought you spoke as if he could help you.

_Warland_. He could settle the whole thing in five minutes. The President can't refuse him anything. But he doesn't know me; he may have a candidate of his own. It's a pity you haven't seen him for so long--and yet I don't know; perhaps it's just as well. The others don't arrive till seven? It seems as if--How long is he going to be here? Till to-morrow night, I suppose? I wonder what he's come for. The Merringtons will bore him to death, and Adelaide, of course, will be philandering with Lender. I wonder (_a pause_) if Darley likes boating. (_Rings the bell_.)

_Isabel_. Boating?

_Warland_. Oh, I was only thinking--Where are the matches? One may smoke here, I suppose? _(He looks at his wife.)_ If I were you I'd put on that black gown of yours to-night--the one with the spangles.--It's only that Fred Langham asked me to go over to Narragansett in his launch to-morrow morning, and I was thinking that I might take Darley; I always liked Darley.

_Isabel (to the footman who enters)_. Mrs. Raynor wishes the dog-cart sent to the station at five o'clock to meet Mr. Oberville.

_Footman_. Very good, m'm. Shall I serve tea at the usual time, m'm?

_Isabel_. Yes. That is, when Mr. Oberville arrives.

_Footman (going out)_. Very good, m'm.

_Warland (to Isabel, who is moving toward the door)_. Where are you going?

_Isabel_. To my room now--for a walk later.

_Warland_. Later? It's past three already.

_Isabel_. I've no engagement this afternoon.

_Warland_. Oh, I didn't know. (_As she reaches the door_.) You'll be back, I suppose?

_Isabel_. I have no intention of eloping.

_Warland_. For tea, I mean?

_Isabel_. I never take tea. (_Warland shrugs his shoulders_.)

II

_The same drawing-room. _Isabel_ enters from the lawn in hat and gloves.

The tea-table is set out, and the footman just lighting the lamp under the kettle_.

_Isabel_. You may take the tea-things away. I never take tea.

_Footman_. Very good, m'm. (_He hesitates_.) I understood, m'm, that Mr.

Oberville was to have tea?

_Isabel_. Mr. Oberville? But he was to arrive long ago! What time is it?

_Footman_. Only a quarter past five, m'm.

_Isabel_. A quarter past five? (_She goes up to the clock_.) Surely you're mistaken? I thought it was long after six. (_To herself_.) I walked and walked--I must have walked too fast ... (_To the Footman_.) I'm going out again. When Mr. Oberville arrives please give him his tea without waiting for me. I shall not be back till dinner-time.

_Footman_. Very good, m'm. Here are some letters, m'm.

_Isabel (glancing at them with a movement of disgust)_. You may send them up to my room.

_Footman_. I beg pardon, m'm, but one is a note from Mme. Fanfreluche, and the man who brought it is waiting for an answer.

_Isabel_. Didn't you tell him I was out?

_Footman_. Yes, m'm. But he said he had orders to wait till you came in.

_Isabel_. Ah--let me see. (_She opens the note_.) Ah, yes. (_A pause_.) Please say that I am on my way now to Mme Fanfreluche's to give her the answer in person. You may tell the man that I have already started. Do you understand? Already started.

_Footman_. Yes, m'm.

_Isabel_. And--wait. (_With an effort_.) You may tell me when the man has started. I shall wait here till then. Be sure you let me know.

_Footman_. Yes, m'm. (_He goes out_.)

_Isabel (sinking into a chair and hiding her face)_. Ah! (_After a moment she rises, taking up her gloves and sunshade, and walks toward the window which opens on the lawn_.) I'm so tired. (_She hesitates and turns back into the room_.) Where can I go to? (_She sits down again by the tea-table, and bends over the kettle. The clock strikes half-past five_.)

_Isabel (picking up her sunshade, walks back to the window)_. If I _must_ meet one of them...

_Oberville (speaking in the hall)_. Thanks. I'll take tea first. (_He enters the room, and pauses doubtfully on seeing Isabel_.)

_Isabel (stepping towards him with a smile)_. It's not that I've changed, of course, but only that I happened to have my back to the light. Isn't that what you are going to say?

_Oberville_. Mrs. Warland!

_Isabel_. So you really _have_ become a great man! They always remember people's names.

_Oberville_. Were you afraid I was going to call you Isabel?

_Isabel_. Bravo! _Crescendo!_