The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Arthur W. Pinero (free children's online books txt) đ
Download in Format:
- Author: Arthur W. Pinero
Book online «The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Arthur W. Pinero (free children's online books txt) đ». Author Arthur W. Pinero
luck. How will my wife regard it? Is Captain Ardale a good fellow?
Mrs. Cortelyon
My dear Aubrey, youâd better read up the accounts of his wonderful heroism. Face to face with death for a whole week; always with a smile and a cheering word for the poor helpless souls depending on him! Of course, itâs that that has stirred the depths of your childâs nature. Iâve watched her while weâve been dragging the story out of him, and if angels look different from Ellean at that moment, I donât desire to meet any, thatâs all!
Aubrey
If you were in my positionâ â? But you canât judge.
Mrs. Cortelyon
Why, if I had a marriageable daughter of my own and Captain Ardale proposed for her, naturally I should cry my eyes out all nightâ âbut I should thank Heaven in the morning.
Aubrey
You believe so thoroughly in him?
Mrs. Cortelyon
Do you think I should have only a headache at this minute if I didnât! Look here, youâve got to see me down the lane; thatâs the least you can do, my friend. Come into my house for a moment and shake hands with Hugh.
Aubrey
What, is he here?
Mrs. Cortelyon
He came through with us, to present himself formally tomorrow. Where are my gloves? Aubrey fetches them from the ottoman. Make my apologies to Mrs. Tanqueray, please. Sheâs well, I hope? Going towards the door. I canât feel sorry she hasnât seen me in this condition.
Ellean enters.
Ellean
To Mrs. Cortelyon. Iâve been waiting to wish you good night. I was afraid Iâd missed you.
Mrs. Cortelyon
Good night, Ellean.
Ellean
In a low voice, embracing Mrs. Cortelyon. I canât thank you. Dear Mrs. Cortelyon!
Mrs. Cortelyon
Her arms round Ellean, in a whisper to Aubrey. Speak a word to her.
Mrs. Cortelyon goes out.
Aubrey
To Ellean. Ellean, Iâm going to see Mrs. Cortelyon home. Tell Paula where I am; explain, dear.
Going to the door.
Ellean
Her head drooping. Yes. Quickly. Father! You are angry with meâ âdisappointed?
Aubrey
Angry?â âno.
Ellean
Disappointed?
Aubrey
Smiling and going to her and taking her hand. If so, itâs only because youâve shaken my belief in my discernment. I thought you took after your poor mother a little, Ellean; but thereâs a look on your face tonight, dear, that I never saw on hersâ ânever, never.
Ellean
Leaning her head on his shoulder. Perhaps I ought not to have gone away?
Aubrey
Hush! Youâre quite happy?
Ellean
Yes.
Aubrey
Thatâs right. Then, as you are quite happy there is something I particularly want you to do for me Ellean.
Ellean
What is that?
Aubrey
Be very gentle with Paula. Will you?
Ellean
You think I have been unkind.
Aubrey
Kissing her upon the forehead. Be very gentle with Paula.
He goes out and she stands looking after him, then, as she turns thoughtfully from the door, a rose is thrown through the window and falls at her feet. She picks up the flower wonderingly and goes to the window.
Ellean
Starting back. Hugh!
Hugh Ardale, a handsome young man of about seven-and-twenty, with a boyish face and manner, appears outside the window.
Hugh
Nelly! Nelly dear!
Ellean
Whatâs the matter?
Hugh
Hush! Nothing. Itâs only fun. Laughing. Ha, ha, ha! Iâve found out that Mrs. Cortelyonâs meadow runs up to your fatherâs plantation; Iâve come through a gap in the hedge.
Ellean
Why, Hugh?
Hugh
Iâm miserable at The Warren; itâs so different from the Avenue de Friedland. Donât look like that! Upon my word I meant just to peep at your home and go back, but I saw figures moving about here, and came nearer, hoping to get a glimpse of you. Was that your father?
Entering the room.
Ellean
Yes.
Hugh
Isnât this fun! A rabbit ran across my foot while I was hiding behind that old yew.
Ellean
You must go away; itâs not right for you to be here like this.
Hugh
But itâs only fun, I tell you. You take everything so seriously. Do wish me good night.
Ellean
We have said good night.
Hugh
In the hall at The Warren before Mrs. Cortelyon and a manservant. Oh, itâs so different from the Avenue de Friedland!
Ellean
Giving him her hand hastily. Good night, Hugh.
Hugh
Is that all? We might be the merest acquaintances.
He momentarily embraces her, but she releases herself.
Ellean
Itâs when youâre like this that you make me feel utterly miserable. Throwing the rose from her angrily. Oh!
Hugh
Iâve offended you now, I suppose?
Ellean
Yes.
Hugh
Forgive me, Nelly. Come into the garden for five minutes; weâll stroll down to the plantation.
Ellean
No, no.
Hugh
For two minutesâ âto tell me you forgive me.
Ellean
I forgive you.
Hugh
Evidently. I shanât sleep a wink tonight after this. What a fool I am! Come down to the plantation. Make it up with me.
Ellean
There is somebody coming into this room. Do you wish to be seen here?
Hugh
I shall wait for you behind that yew tree. You must speak to me. Nelly!
He disappears. Paula enters.
Paula
Ellean!
Ellean
Youâ âyou are very surprised to see me, Paula, of course.
Paula
Why are you here? Why arenât you withâ âyour friend?
Ellean
Iâve come homeâ âif youâll have me. We left Paris this morning; Mrs. Cortelyon brought me back. She was here a minute or two ago; papa has just gone with her to The Warren. He asked me to tell you.
Paula
There are some people staying with us that Iâd rather you didnât meet. It was hardly worth your while to return for a few hours.
Ellean
A few hours?
Paula
Well, when do you go to London?
Ellean
I donât think I go to London, after all.
Paula
Eagerly. Youâ âyouâve quarrelled with her?
Ellean
No, no, no, not that; butâ âPaula! In an altered tone. Paula.
Paula
Startled. Eh? Ellean goes deliberately to Paula and kisses her. Ellean!
Ellean
Kiss me.
Paula
Whatâ âwhatâs come to you?
Ellean
I want to behave differently to you in the future. Is it too late?
Paula
Tooâ âlate! Impulsively kissing Ellean and crying. Noâ ânoâ âno! Noâ âno!
Ellean
Paula, donât cry.
Paula
Wiping her eyes. Iâm a little shaky; I havenât
Free ebook «The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Arthur W. Pinero (free children's online books txt) đ» - read online now
Similar e-books:
Comments (0)