Dolly Reforming Herself Part 16

_Lucas._ Good-bye. [_They have a long hand-shake._

_Renie._ Good-bye.

[_Tears herself away from him and tragically throws herself on sofa._ LUCAS _follows her up._

_Lucas._ I say, Mrs. Sturgess----

_Renie._ [_Face buried in hands, moans out._] Go, go! In pity's name don't make it harder for me!

_Matt._ In pity's name don't make it harder for her.

_Dolly._ [_Looking off at door._] They'll be coming out of the billiard-room directly.

_Matt._ Now, Lucas----

CRIDDLE _appears at door._

_Criddle._ Your horse is waiting for you, sir.

_Lucas._ My horse?!

_Criddle._ Yes, sir, just outside.

_Lucas._ What on earth do they mean? A valuable horse like that--just clipped--standing about on a night like this--who told them?

_Dolly._ I did. The horse is waiting to take you back to Aldershot.

_Lucas._ I can't go back to Aldershot in this kit. [_Pointing to his dress-clothes._] Tell them to take it back to the Red Lion!

_Dolly._ And Criddle, give the man Captain Wentworth's portmanteau to take to the Red Lion at the same time.

_Criddle._ Yes, ma'am. [_Exit._

_Lucas._ [_Grumbling._] Well, of all----Good-bye, Mrs. Sturgess.

_Dolly._ You've said good-bye----

_Renie._ [_Still tragic on sofa._] Farewell--for ever!

_Lucas._ Good-night, Dolly!

_Dolly._ Farewell--for a good long time. [_Shaking hands._

_Lucas._ Good-night, Uncle.

_Matt._ Good-night, Lucas. [_Shaking hands._

_Lucas._ [_Turns at door._] Happen to have your cigar-case handy?

[MATT _takes out cigar-case, offers it._

_Lucas._ Could you spare two?

_Matt._ Certainly!

_Lucas._ I've got a jolly long ride, I'll take three if you don't mind.

_Matt._ Do!

_Lucas._ Thank'ee. Well, good-night, everybody.

[MATT _gets_ LUCAS _off, closes door after him._

_Renie._ [_Rouses herself from sofa._] Has he gone? Is it all over?

_Dolly._ I hope so. [_Goes and rings bell twice._

_Renie._ [_Goes to_ MATT _impulsively--and seizes his hand._] At least this bitter experience has gained me one true friend.

_Matt._ [_Embarra.s.sed._] Yes----

_Renie._ [_Wrings his hand in grat.i.tude._] Thank you so much----

[_He gets away from her and shows relief; takes out cigar and prepares to light it._

_Renie._ [_Standing in the middle of the room, pitying herself._] That's where we get the worst of it, we women who have hearts! We must feel, we must show our feelings, and then we get trampled down in the fight. Oh, Dolly, how I envy you your nature!

_Dolly._ [_Very chilly._] Are you going into the spare room, dear?

_Renie._ Anywhere! Anywhere! Yes, the spare room!

PETERS, DOLLY'S _maid, appears at door._

_Dolly._ Peters, will you bank up the fire in the spare room and make everything comfortable for Mrs. Sturgess?

_Peters._ Yes, ma'am. [_Exit._

_Renie._ [_Still in the middle of the room, pitying herself._] So my poor little tragedy is ended! [_To_ MATT.

_Matt._ Yes. Well, let's be thankful no bones are broken!

_Renie._ No bones, but how about hearts? Well, I must bear it. [_With a weary smile._] Mustn't I?

_Matt._ I'm afraid you must.

_Renie._ Good-night! [_Wrings his hand with grat.i.tude._] Good-night!

_Matt._ Good-night.