The New Woman - BestLightNovel.com
You’re reading novel The New Woman Part 42 online at BestLightNovel.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit BestLightNovel.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy
In her alone I find the true Greek spirit. What were the prevailing characteristics of h.e.l.lenic culture? [_A sudden silence._] Breadth and centrality, blitheness and repose. All these I find in Trixy.
CHORUS.
Little dear!
LADY WARGRAVE.
Somewhat _risquee,_ isn't she?
PERCY.
To the suburban mind.
[_LADY WARGRAVE bows and turns off._
_SERVANT enters, L._
SERVANT.
Signor Labinski has arrived, your ladys.h.i.+p.
[_Exit, L. LADY WARGRAVE speaks to one or two of the Guests, and the company disperse, most of them going off, L., but a few, C., and others into the conservatory. During this general movement, the music off, is heard louder. COLONEL is left with DR. MARY._
COLONEL.
Nonsense, my dear Doctor---- The fact's just this. The modern woman is prostrated by the discovery of her own superiority; and she is now engaged in one of those hopeless enterprises which _we_ have regretfully abandoned. She is endeavouring to understand _herself._ I offer her my respectful sympathy.
[_Bows and sits, C._
DOCTOR [_sits by him_].
The truth amounts to this: the one mitigating circ.u.mstance about the existence of Man is, that he occasionally co-operates in the creation of a Woman.
COLONEL.
His proudest privilege! The mystery to me is, that you ladies haven't found it out before.
_Re-enter ENID, C._
DOCTOR.
Yes, but you s.h.i.+rk the question!
[_COLONEL is fanning himself, helplessly._
ENID [_aside_].
A man in distress! I must help him! [_Advancing sweetly._] What were you saying, Doctor?
[_Sits on the other side of COLONEL._
COLONEL [_aside_].
Bethune! the best of 'em!
DOCTOR.
You know, from your own experience, that marriage is not a necessity.
COLONEL.
No, it's a luxury--an expensive luxury.
ENID.
Oh, surely that depends upon the wife.
DOCTOR.
It is she who has to a.s.sociate with him.
ENID.
And considering what his past has been----
COLONEL.
Suppose it hasn't!
DOCTOR.
But it always has!
ENID.
I should be sorry to think that.
DOCTOR.
Take the Colonel's own case.
COLONEL [_alarmed_].
Doctor!
DOCTOR.
Do you deny that you have had a past?
