[_In a strange voice, but calmly._] How do you do?

HUGH.

How do you do?

PAULA.

[_To_ ELLEAN.] Mr. Ardale and I have met in London, Ellean.

Er--Captain Ardale, now?

HUGH.

Yes.

ELLEAN.

In London?

PAULA.

They say the world's very small, don't they?

HUGH.

Yes.

PAULA.

Ellean, dear, I want to have a little talk about you to Mr.

Ardale--Captain Ardale--alone. [_Putting her arms round_ ELLEAN, _and leading her to the door._] Come back in a little while. [ELLEAN _nods to_ PAULA _with a smile and goes out, while_ PAULA _stands watching her at the open door._] In a little while--in a little---- [_Closing the door and then taking a seat facing_ HUGH.]

Be quick! Mr. Tanqueray has only gone down to The Warren with Mrs.

Cortelyon. What is to be done?

HUGH.

[_Blankly._] Done?

PAULA.

Done--done. Something must be done.

HUGH.

I understood that Mr. Tanqueray had married a Mrs.--Mrs.----

PAULA.

Jarman?

HUGH.

Yes.

PAULA.

I'd been going by that name. You didn't follow my doings after we separated.

HUGH.

No.

PAULA.

[_Sneeringly._] No.

HUGH.

I went out to India.

PAULA.

What's to be done?

HUGH.

d.a.m.n this chance!

PAULA.

Oh, my G.o.d!

HUGH.

Your husband doesn't know, does he?

PAULA.

That you and I----?

HUGH.

Yes.

PAULA.

No. He knows about others.

HUGH.