GERALD.

No, no!

MARGERY.

Be careful, or she'll steal your honour too. Don't trust to her fine phrases. She deceives herself. She wants your love, that's what that woman wants: not to instruct the world--just to be happy--nothing more or less; but she won't make you happy or herself. If I am no companion, she's a bad one!

GERALD.

You wrong her, Margery--indeed, you do! _I_ was the culprit----

MARGERY.

Have some pity on me! Don't let the last words I shall hear you say be words defending her! Think what she's done for me! Think how you loved me when you married me--think what our two lives might have been, but for her--think what mine _will_ be! for mine won't be like yours. Your love is dead, and you will bury it, but mine's alive--alive!

[_Breaks down._

GERALD.

And so is mine!

MARGERY [_springs up_].

Don't soil your lips with lies! I've borne as much as I can bear. I can't bear that!

GERALD.

If you will only listen----

MARGERY.

I have heard too much! Don't speak again, or you will make me hate you! My mind's made up. I have no business here! You are above me. I'm no wife for you! I'm dragging you down every day and hour.

GERALD.

Margery! you shall not go!

MARGERY [_flinging him off_].

To-night and now! Good-bye!

[_Rushes into conservatory, R._

GERALD.

What right have I to stop her?

[_Goes up, leans upon chair. Re-enter SYLVESTER, C._

SYLVESTER.

Now, Mr. Cazenove, I am at your service.

GERALD.

You are too late.

[_Exit, C._

SYLVESTER.

So, he won't speak to me. But I will make him. If he thinks I am caught, like a rat in a trap, he's made a mistake. There'll be a scandal--well, so much the better! Better that they should know the truth all round.

_Re-enter MRS. SYLVESTER, L._

MRS. SYLVESTER.

Ah, you are here! I've been looking for you everywhere.

SYLVESTER.

Looking for _me?_

MRS. SYLVESTER.

I want you to take me home.

SYLVESTER.

I've something to say to you. Sit down.

MRS. SYLVESTER.

Not to-night. I'm tired.

SYLVESTER.

Yes, to-night. What I'm going to say may be everybody's property to-morrow. I choose that you should know it now.

MRS. SYLVESTER.

I don't understand you.

SYLVESTER.

But you shall. I've often heard you say that a loveless marriage is no marriage. Well, ours is loveless enough, isn't it?

MRS. SYLVESTER.