Part 17 (1/2)

AUBREY.

[_Sarcastically._] That's good news.

PAULA.

Why are you always so cutting about Mabel? She's a kind-hearted girl. Every thing's altered; she even thinks of letting her hair go back to brown. She's Lady Orreyed. She's married to George. What's the matter with her?

AUBREY.

[_Turning away._] Oh!

PAULA.

You drive me mad sometimes with the tone you take about things!

Great goodness, if you come to that, George Orreyed's wife isn't a bit worse than yours! [_He faces her suddenly._] I suppose I needn't have made that observation.

AUBREY.

No, there was scarcely a necessity.

[_He throws the letter on to the table, and takes up the newspaper._

PAULA.

I am very sorry.

AUBREY.

All right, dear.

PAULA.

[_Trifling with the letter._] I--I'd better tell you what I've written. I meant to do so, of course. I--I've asked the Orreyeds to come and stay with us. [_He looks at her and lets the paper fall to the ground in a helpless way._] George was a great friend of Cayley's; I'm sure _he_ would be delighted to meet them here.

AUBREY.

[_Laughing mirthlessly._] Ha, ha, ha! They say Orreyed has taken to tippling at dinner. Heavens above!

PAULA.

Oh! I've no patience with you! You'll kill me with this life! [_She selects some flowers from a vase on the table, cuts and arranges them, and fastens them in her bodice._] What is my existence, Sunday to Sat.u.r.day? In the morning, a drive down to the village, with the groom, to give my orders to the tradespeople. At lunch, you and Ellean. In the afternoon, a novel, the newspapers; if fine, another drive--_if_ fine! Tea--you and Ellean. Then two hours of dusk; then dinner--you and Ellean. Then a game of Besique, you and I, while Ellean reads a religious book in a dull corner. Then a yawn from me, another from you, a sigh from Ellean; three figures suddenly rise--”Good-night, good-night, good-night!” [_Imitating a kiss._]

”G.o.d bless you!” Ah!

AUBREY.

Yes, yes, Paula--yes, dearest--that's what it is _now_. But, by-and-by, if people begin to come round us----

PAULA.

Hah! That's where we've made the mistake, my friend Aubrey!