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Dialogue following No. 13
Grosvenor. At last they are gone! What is this mysterious fascination that I seem to exercise over all I come across? A curse on my fatal beauty, for I am sick of conquests!
Patience. appears.
Patience. Archibald!
Grosvenor. (Turns and sees her.) Patience.!
Patience. I have escaped with difficulty from my Reginald. I wanted to see you so much that I might ask you if you still love me as fondly as ever?
Grosvenor. Love you? If the devotion of a lifetime — (Seizes her hand.)
Patience. (indignantly) Hold! Unhand me, or I scream! (He releases her.) If you are a gentleman, pray remember that I am another's! (Very tenderly.) But you do love me, don't you?
Grosvenor. Madly, hopelessly, despairingly!
Patience. That's right! I never can be yours; but that's right!
Grosvenor. And you love this Bunthorne?
Patience. With a heart-whole ecstasy that withers, and scorches, and burns, and stings! (sadly) It is my duty.
Grosvenor. Admirable girl! But you are not happy with him?
Patience. Happy? I am miserable beyond description!
Grosvenor. That's right! I never can be yours; but that's right!
(1961-2)
Patience. But go now. I see dear Reginald approaching. Farewell, dear Archibald; I cannot tell you how happy it has made me to know that you still love me.
Grosvenor. Ah, if I only dared — (Advances towards her.)
Patience. Sir! this language to one who is promised to another! (Tenderly) Oh, Archibald, think of me sometimes, for my heart is breaking! He is unkind to me, and you would be so loving!
Grosvenor. Loving! (Advances towards her)
Patience. Advance one step, and as I am a good and pure woman, I scream! (Tenderly) Farewell, Archibald! (Sternly) Stop there! (Tenderly) Think of me sometimes! (Angrily) Advance at your peril! Once more, adieu!
Grosvenor sighs, gazes sorrowfully at her, sighs deeply, and exits. She bursts into tears.
Enter Bunthorne, followed by Jane. He is moody and preoccupied.
Jane sings:
In a doleful train
One and one I walk all day;
For I love in vain —
None so sorrowful as they
Who can only sigh and say,
Woe is me, alackaday!
Woe is me, alackaday, and woe!
Bunthorne. (seeing Patience) Crying, eh? What are you crying about?
Patience. I've only been thinking how dearly I love you!
Bunthorne. Love me! Bah!
Jane. Love him! Bah!
Bunthorne. (to Jane.) Don't you interfere.
Jane. He always crushes me!
Patience. (going to him) What is the matter, dear Reginald? If you have any sorrow, tell it to me, that I may share it with you. (Sighing) It is my duty!
Bunthorne. (snappishly) Whom were you talking with just now?
Patience. With dear Archibald.
Bunthorne. (furiously) With dear Archibald! Upon my honour, this is too much!
Jane. A great deal too much!
Bunthorne. (angrily to Jane) Do be quiet!
Jane. Crushed again!
Patience. I think he is the noblest, purest, and most perfect being I have ever met. But I don't love him. It is true that he is devotedly attached to me, but I don't love him. Whenever he grows affectionate, I scream. It is my duty! (sighing)
Bunthorne. I dare say!
Jane. So do I! I dare say!
Patience. Why, how could I love him and love you too? You can't love two people at once!
Bunthorne. Oh, can't you, though!
Patience. No, you can't; I only wish you could.
Bunthorne. I don't believe you know what love is!
Patience. (sighing) Yes, I do. There was a happy time when I didn't, but a bitter experience has taught me.
Exeunt Bunthorne and Jane.
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