There's an end of it. [_Returning to her._] What's the matter?

PAULA.

[_Rising, coldly._] Oh, nothing! I'll go and put my cloak on.

AUBREY.

[_Detaining her._] What _is_ the matter?

PAULA.

Well, I think you might have said, "You're very generous, Paula,"

or at least, "Thank you, dear," when I offered to set you free.

AUBREY.

[_Catching her in his arms._] Ah!

PAULA.

Ah! ah! Ha, ha! It's all very well, but you don't know what it cost me to make such an offer. I do so want to be married.

AUBREY.

But you never imagined----?

PAULA.

Perhaps not. And yet I _did_ think of what I'd do at the end of our acquaintance if you had preferred to behave like the rest.

[_Taking a flower from her bodice._

AUBREY.

Hush!

PAULA.

Oh, I forgot!

AUBREY.

What would you have done when we parted?

PAULA.

Why, killed myself.

AUBREY.

Paula, dear!

PAULA.

It's true. [_Putting the flower in his b.u.t.tonhole._] Do you know I feel certain I should make away with myself if anything serious happened to me.

AUBREY.

Anything serious! What, has nothing ever been serious to you, Paula?

PAULA.

Not lately; not since a long while ago. I made up my mind then to have done with taking things seriously. If I hadn't, I---- However, we won't talk about that.

AUBREY.

But now, now, life will be different to you, won't it--quite different? Eh, dear?

PAULA.

Oh yes, now. Only, Aubrey, mind you keep me always happy.

AUBREY.

I will try to.

PAULA.

I know I couldn't swallow a second big dose of misery. I know that if ever I felt wretched again--truly wretched--I should take a leaf out of Connie Tirlemont's book. You remember? They found her---- [_With a look of horror._]

AUBREY.

For G.o.d's sake, don't let your thoughts run on such things!

PAULA.

[_Laughing._] Ha, ha, how scared you look! There, think of the time!

Dearest, what will my coachman say! My cloak!

[_She runs off, gaily, by the upper door._ AUBREY _looks after her for a moment, then he walks up to the fire and stands warming his feet at the bars. As he does so he raises his head and observes the letters upon the mantelpiece. He takes one down quickly._

AUBREY.

Ah! Ellean! [_Opening the letter and reading._] "My dear father,--A great change has come over me. I believe my mother in Heaven has spoken to me, and counselled me to turn to you in your loneliness.

At any rate, your words have reached my heart, and I no longer feel fitted for this solemn life. I am ready to take my place by you.

Dear father, will you receive me?--ELLEAN."

PAULA _re-enters, dressed in a handsome cloak. He stares at her as if he hardly realised her presence._