How could you tell _her?_ How could she listen to you? I forgive _you,_ Gerald--I didn't at first, but now I understand that there are times when one's heart is so sore, it must cry out to somebody. But _she----_
You are mistaken there. It was your voice that spoke them, but the words were hers. It's she who's robbed me of your love! It isn't I who've lost it; she has stolen it!
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!
You wrong her, Margery--indeed, you do! _I_ was the culprit----
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!
Don't soil your lips with lies! I've borne as much as I can bear. I can't bear that!
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.
[_Goes up, leans upon chair. Re-enter SYLVESTER, C._
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.
Ah, you are here! I've been looking for you everywhere.
Yes, to-night. What I'm going to say may be everybody's property to-morrow. I choose that you should know it now.
But you shall. I've often heard you say that a loveless marriage is no marriage. Well, ours is loveless enough, isn't it?
It is! I've never understood you; and if there was any good in me, you've never taken the trouble to find it out.
You must. Don't think I'm going to reproach you. I take all the blame on myself. What if I were to tell you that you've made a convert to your principles where you least expected it?