[_Wiping her eyes._] Of course I quite understand now that you don't love me.
[_Comes to her, concealing his impatience._] But I do! I do!
Oh no, you don't! When we were first married you didn't object to my being in the room when you were working.
I admit I didn't _say_ so then; I was younger, and had more patience and stronger nerves.
[_Turning to him with a gleam of anger._] Then you admit you have always objected to my presence in your study?
[_Smoothly._] I admit I have always felt that a writing man's writing hours are sacred hours.
[_Gently._] They should be sacred _to_ his wife, dear. [_Slight pause._] If you were a writing woman you would understand what I mean.
I'm sure I'm very sorry I'm not a genius, but you understood that when you married me, didn't you?
Yes, darling, I quite understood that! [_He appears to say this quite unconsciously. MRS. PARBURY turns to him deeply offended, then suddenly goes up to leave the room. He quickly meets her, C._] [_Taking her hands._] I only knew you were the best little woman in the world!
[_Struggling to free her hands._] Don't, please. I'm going!
To send Miss Woodward to you, since you prefer her society to mine.
But I tell you I'm scarcely conscious of the girl's existence; anyway, it was you who brought her here. You may remember I proposed having a male secretary.
Yes; to make a companion of at my expense. You were always a man's man! If I had had more experience I would have known that by the host of men friends you had when we married.
You mean--that I-- [_Struggling to release her hands._] You are most brutal. Let me go!
[_There is another slight pause. She is certainly angry, but she doesn't attempt to leave the chair. He looks down at her, and lays a hand lightly on her hair._
[_Brushing his hand away._] Please don't do that. I am not a child! [_PARBURY takes a chair and sits next to her. Pause._] Perhaps you will tell me why you have used your superior strength to keep me here against my will?
[_Taking her hand._] Do you know that I'm very much in love with you?
You in love with me! You don't know what love is! All you feel at this moment is the sort of insolent pity the strong have for the weak.
You weak, darling! Oh, come! You know better than that! You can't be unconscious of your power!