BETTY. He has been that always. You didn't feel--horrid--before.... Who is she? WALTER. [_Shortly, as he turns back to the fire._] That doesn't matter. BETTY. Yes, it does. Who? WALTER. [_Fretfully._] Oh, why should we-- BETTY. I want to know--I'm _entitled_ to know. WALTER. [_Still with his back to her._] Mary Gillingham. BETTY. Mary Gillingham! WALTER. [_Firmly, swinging round to her._] Yes. BETTY. That child, that chit of a girl! WALTER. She's twenty-three. BETTY. Whom I introduced you to--my own friend? WALTER. [_Grumbling._] What _has_ that to do with it? And besides ... [_He suddenly changes his tone, noticing how calm she has become--he takes a step towards her, and stands by her side, at the back of the table, his voice becomes gentle and affectionate._] But I say, really, you're taking it awfully well--pluckily. I knew you would--I knew I was an ass to be so--afraid.... And look here, we'll always be pals--the very best of pals. I'll ... never forget--never. You may be quite sure ... of that. I want to get married--I do--have a home of my own, and so forth--but you'll still be--just the one woman I really have loved--the one woman in my life--to whom I owe--everything. BETTY. [_With a mirthless laugh._] Do you tell all that--to Mary Gillingham? WALTER. [_Pettishly, as he moves away._] Do I--don't be so absurd. BETTY. You tell _her_ she is the only _girl_ you have loved. WALTER. [_Moving back to the fire, with his back to her._] I tell her--I tell her--what does it matter what I tell her? And one girl or another--she or someone else-- BETTY. But you haven't answered my question--what's to become of me? WALTER. [_Angrily, facing her._] Become of you! Don't talk such nonsense. Because it is--really it is. You'll be as you were. And Hector's a splendid chap--and after all we've been frightfully wrong--treating him infernally badly--despicably. Oh yes, we have--and you know it. Lord, there've been nights when I have--but never mind that--that's all over! In future we can look him in the face without feeling guilty--we can-- BETTY. [_Quietly._] _You_ can. WALTER. What do you mean? BETTY. _You_ can, because of this girl. Oh, I know, of course! You'll come here three or four times--then you'll drop off--you'll feel I'm not quite the woman you want your wife to know. WALTER. [_With genuine feeling, as he impulsively steps towards her._] Betty, Betty, what sort of cad do you take me for? What sort of cad, or bounder? Haven't I told you I'd never forget--never? And you think you'll pass out of my life--that I _want_ you to? Why, good Heaven, I'll be your best friend as long as I live. Friend--yes--what I always should have been--meant to be! And Hector. Why, Betty, I tell you, merely talking to-night, as I've done, has made me feel--different--sort of--lifted--a load. Because I've always had it--somewhere deep down in me--when I've thought of--him. BETTY. [_Calmly._] Liar. WALTER. [_Falling back._] Betty!