Part 52 (1/2)

What _can_ we do?

PAULA.

Why, nothing! She'd have no difficulty in following up her suspicions. Suspicions! You should have seen how she looked at me!

[_He buries his head in his hands. There is silence for a time, then she rises slowly, and goes and sits beside him._] Aubrey!

AUBREY.

Yes.

PAULA.

I'm very sorry.

[_Without meeting her eyes, he lays his hand on her arm for a moment._

AUBREY.

Well, we must look things straight in the face. [_Glancing round._]

At any rate, we've done with this.

PAULA.

I suppose so. [_After a brief pause._] Of course, she and I can't live under the same roof any more. You know she kissed me to-night, of her own accord.

AUBREY.

I asked her to alter towards you.

PAULA.

That was it, then.

AUBREY.

I--I'm sorry I sent her away.

PAULA.

It was my fault; I made it necessary.

AUBREY.

Perhaps now she'll propose to return to the convent,--well, she must.

PAULA.

Would you like to keep her with you and--and leave me?

AUBREY.