Part 14 (1/2)

There's an end of it. [_Returning to her._] What's the matter?

PAULA.

[_Rising, coldly._] Oh, nothing! I'll go and put my cloak on.

AUBREY.

[_Detaining her._] What _is_ the matter?

PAULA.

Well, I think you might have said, ”You're very generous, Paula,”

or at least, ”Thank you, dear,” when I offered to set you free.

AUBREY.

[_Catching her in his arms._] Ah!

PAULA.

Ah! ah! Ha, ha! It's all very well, but you don't know what it cost me to make such an offer. I do so want to be married.

AUBREY.

But you never imagined----?

PAULA.

Perhaps not. And yet I _did_ think of what I'd do at the end of our acquaintance if you had preferred to behave like the rest.

[_Taking a flower from her bodice._

AUBREY.

Hus.h.!.+

PAULA.

Oh, I forgot!

AUBREY.

What would you have done when we parted?

PAULA.

Why, killed myself.

AUBREY.

Paula, dear!