The Second Mrs. Tanqueray - BestLightNovel.com
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Good-night.
[_He disappears. She walks unsteadily to the ottoman, and sits; and as she does so her hand falls upon the little silver mirror, which she takes up, staring at her own reflection._
THE FOURTH ACT
_The Drawing room at "Highercoombe," the same evening._
PAULA _is still seated on the ottoman, looking vacantly before her, with the little mirror in her hand._ LADY ORREYED _enters._
LADY ORREYED.
There you are! You never came into the billiard-room. Isn't it maddening--Cayley Drummle gives me sixty out of a hundred and beats me. I must be out of form, because I know I play remarkably well for a lady. Only last month---- [PAULA _rises._] Whatever is the matter with you, old girl?
PAULA.
Why?
LADY ORREYED.
[_Staring._] It's the light, I suppose. [PAULA _replaces the mirror on the table._] By Aubrey's bolting from the billiard-table in that fas.h.i.+on I thought perhaps----
PAULA.
Yes; it's all right.
LADY ORREYED.
You've patched it up? [PAULA _nods._] Oh, I am jolly glad----! I mean----
PAULA.
Yes, I know what you mean. Thanks, Mabel.
LADY ORREYED.
[_Kissing_ PAULA.] Now take my advice; for the future----
PAULA.
Mabel, if I've been disagreeable to you while you've been staying here, I--I beg your pardon.
[_Walking away and sitting down._
LADY ORREYED.
You disagreeable, my dear? I haven't noticed it. Dodo and me both consider you make a first-cla.s.s hostess, but then you've had such practice, haven't you? [_Dropping on to the ottoman and gaping._]
Oh, talk about being sleepy----!
PAULA.
Why don't you----!
LADY ORREYED.
Why, dear, I must hang about for Dodo. You may as well know it; he's in one of his moods.
PAULA.
[_Under her breath._] Oh----!
LADY ORREYED.
Now, it's not his fault; it was deadly dull for him while we were playing billiards. Cayley Drummle did ask him to mark, but I stopped that; it's so easy to make a gentleman look like a billiard-marker.
This is just how it always is; if poor old Dodo has nothing to do, he loses count, as you may say.
PAULA.
Hark!
SIR GEORGE ORREYED _enters, walking slowly and deliberately; he looks pale and watery-eyed._
SIR GEORGE.
[_With mournful indistinctness._] I'm 'fraid we've lef' you a grea'
deal to yourself to-night, Mrs. Tanqueray. Attra'tions of billiards.
I apol'gise. I say, where's ol' Aubrey?
PAULA.
My husband has been obliged to go out to a neighbour's house.
SIR GEORGE.
I want his advice on a rather pressing matter connected with my family--my family. [_Sitting._] To-morrow will do just as well.
LADY ORREYED.
[_To_ PAULA.] This is the mood I hate so--drivelling about his precious family.
SIR GEORGE.
The fact is, Mrs. Tanqueray, I am not easy in my min' 'bout the way I am treatin' my poor ol' mother.
