The New Woman Part 16

Theodore, your arm. These ladies interest me. Besides, they sadly want a chaperone.

COLONEL.

They want a husband--that's what _they_ want, badly!

LADY WARGRAVE.

Gerald, call Margery. [_GERALD goes to door R._] Well, they are looking for one.

[_Glancing after GERALD._

COLONEL.

And they've found _you,_ Caroline.

[_Exeunt both, laughing, L. Each time the door, L., is opened, a babel of female voices is heard from within, and such phrases as "Peter Robinson's," "Swan and Edgar's," "Stagg and Mantle's," are distinctly audible above the clink of teacups, etc._

_Re-enter MARGERY, R.; she goes straight to LADY WARGRAVE'S chair, and is about to carry the cus.h.i.+on into the room, L., when GERALD, who has stood back, watching her, advances._

GERALD.

Margery! [_MARGERY drops the cus.h.i.+on and turns._] Thank you! G.o.d bless you!

MARGERY.

For what, sir?

GERALD.

You have not told my aunt.

MARGERY.

Of course I haven't told her! [_Slight pause._] May I go?

GERALD.

Not yet. Margery, can you ever forgive me?

MARGERY.

For being a man? Oh yes!

GERALD.

Can you ever respect me again?

MARGERY.

I do respect you, sir.

GERALD.

Not as I do you, Margery. You don't know what you did for me that day.

If you had rounded on me, I should not have cared--but to be silent--to do nothing--to forgive me!

MARGERY.

I had a reason for forgiving you.

GERALD.

What?

MARGERY.

That's my business.

GERALD.

But, Margery, you do forgive me?

MARGERY.

Don't let's talk about it.

GERALD.

_Really_ forgive me?

MARGERY.

Really!

GERALD.

Prove it to me.

MARGERY.

How can I?

GERALD [_still holding her_].

Be my wife!

MARGERY [_recoiling_].

Mr. Cazenove!