Part 46 (1/2)

AUBREY.

A grave, sedate fellow I've thought about--hah! She has fallen in love with the way in which Ardale practically laid down his life to save those poor people shut up in the Residency. [_Taking off his coat._] Well, I suppose if a man can do that sort of thing, one ought to be content. And yet---- [_Throwing his coat on the settee._] I should have met him to-night, but he'd gone out. Paula dear, tell me how you look upon this business.

PAULA.

Yes, I will--I must. To begin with, I--I've seen Mr. Ardale.

AUBREY.

Captain Ardale?

PAULA.

Captain Ardale.

AUBREY.

Seen him?

PAULA.

While you were away he came up here, through our grounds, to try to get a word with Ellean. I made her fetch him in and present him to me.

AUBREY.

[_Frowning._] Doesn't Captain Ardale know there's a lodge and a front door to this place? Never mind! What is your impression of him?

PAULA.

Aubrey, do you recollect my bringing you a letter--a letter giving you an account of myself--to the Albany late one night--the night before we got married?

AUBREY.

A letter?

PAULA.

You burnt it; don't you know?

AUBREY.

Yes; I know.

PAULA.

His name was in that letter.

AUBREY.

[_Going back from her slowly, and staring at her._] I don't understand.