MRS. SYLVESTER [_turns up, to hide her emotion, and tries to go into the room, L., but half-way she falters and puts out her hand_].
[_He goes to her and offers her his arm. Exeunt GERALD and MRS. SYLVESTER, L. Other Guests cross the stage. Enter MARGERY, C. Finding herself opposite LADY WARGRAVE'S chair, takes a long look at it, then moves the cushion, and gradually gets into her old position behind it. Music heard off, softly, during this passage._
Yes, this is how it ought to be. It looks a different world altogether--the real world--the world, when Gerald loved me!
Alone, Mrs. Cazenove? It isn't often that I find you alone. I've seen nothing of you lately. You've always been out when I've called.
I think you're going the same way, both of you.
But in opposite directions. Mrs. Cazenove, you're quite a philosopher. Why have you grown so serious all at once?
Only a fortnight since you were all vivacity.
I hope these ladies haven't converted you.
Your husband has been reading you his book!
What is it all about? If I am not too curious.
Aren't they the same thing? He says they are, and I agree with him. And then he says [_half to herself_] that, when the love is gone, so is the marriage--and I think he's right!
SYLVESTER [_gazes at her for some moments, then unable to restrain himself_].
Ah, Margery! if Heaven had given me such a wife as you----
Can't you admire me without telling me? It's well to make the best of what we have, instead of trying to make the worst of what we haven't.
Gerald doesn't love you [_movement of MARGERY_]--oh, you said that just now! you mayn't know that you said it, but you did! My wife doesn't love me--I don't love my wife--and yet I must say nothing.
What's it to me that you don't love your wife?
Honestly love you! I admired you always. It was an empty admiration, perhaps--the admiration a man feels for twenty women--but it grew solid; and the more you repulsed me, the more you attracted me. You mayn't believe me, but at first I _wanted_ you to repulse me; then it got past that; and when I saw you sitting there alone--living over in your mind your wasted life--I loved you, and the words sprang to my lips. Nothing could keep them back! I love you, Margery--nobody but you! Why should your life be wasted? Why should mine?