Part 51 (2/2)

PAULA.

About me--and Ardale.

AUBREY.

About you--and Ardale?

PAULA.

She says she suspected my character from the beginning ... that's why she's always kept me at a distance ... and now she sees through----

[_She falters; he helps her to the ottoman, where she sits._

AUBREY.

[_Bending over her._] Paula, you must have said something--admitted something----

PAULA.

I don't think so. It--it's in my face.

AUBREY.

What?

PAULA.

She tells me so. She's right! I'm tainted through and through; anybody can see it, anybody can find it out. You said much the same to me to-night.

AUBREY.

If she has got this idea into her head we must drive it out, that's all. We must take steps to---- What shall we do? We had better--better----What--what?

[_Sitting and staring before him._

PAULA.

Ellean! So meek, so demure! You've often said she reminded you of her mother. Yes, I know now what your first marriage was like.

AUBREY.

We must drive this idea out of her head. We'll do something. What shall we do?

PAULA.

She's a regular woman too. She could forgive _him_ easily enough--but _me_! That's just a woman!

AUBREY.

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