Part 18 (2/2)

AUBREY.

Hush, hus.h.!.+ you don't realise what you say.

PAULA.

If Ellean cared for me only a little, it would be different. I shouldn't be jealous then. Why doesn't she care for me?

AUBREY.

She--she--she will, in time.

PAULA.

You can't say that without stuttering.

AUBREY.

Her disposition seems a little unresponsive; she resembles her mother in many ways; I can see it every day.

PAULA.

She's marble. It's a shame. There's not the slightest excuse; for all she knows, I'm as much a saint as she--only married. Dearest, help me to win her over!

AUBREY.

Help you?

PAULA.

You can. Teach her that it is her duty to love me; she hangs on to every word you speak. I'm sure, Aubrey, that the love of a nice woman who believed me to be like herself would do me a world of good. You'd get the benefit of it as well as I. It would soothe me; it would make me less horribly restless; it would take this--this--mischievous feeling from me. [_Coaxingly._] Aubrey!

AUBREY.

Have patience; everything will come right.

PAULA.

Yes, if you help me.

AUBREY.

In the meantime you will tear up your letter to Lady Orreyed, won't you?

PAULA.

[_Kissing his hand._] Of course I will--anything!

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