Part 46 (2/2)

PAULA.

Well--Ardale and I once kept house together. [_He remains silent, not moving._] Why don't you strike me? Hit me in the face--I'd rather you did! Hurt me! hurt me!

AUBREY.

[_After a pause._] What did you--and this man--say to each other--just now?

PAULA.

I--hardly--know.

AUBREY.

Think!

PAULA.

The end of it all was that I--I told him I must inform you of--what had happened ... he didn't want me to do that ... I declared that I would ... he dared me to. [_Breaking down._] Let me alone!--oh!

AUBREY.

Where was my daughter while this went on?

PAULA.

I--I had sent her out of the room ... that is all right.

AUBREY.

Yes, yes--yes, yes.

[_He turns his head towards the door._

PAULA.

Who's that?

_A_ SERVANT _enters with a letter._

SERVANT.

The coachman has just run up with this from The Warren, sir. [AUBREY _takes the letter._] It's for Mrs. Tanqueray, sir; there's no answer.

[_The_ SERVANT _withdraws._ AUBREY _goes to_ PAULA _and drops the letter into her lap; she opens it with uncertain hands._

PAULA.

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