[_Opening her eyes._] Oh, I hope not. Why? JOHN. I thought it might have slipped your memory that Basil was married about a year ago. HILDA. [_Freezing._] What on earth d'you mean? [_Calling_] Mabel. JOHN. One moment.... You can give me a little conversation, can't you? HILDA. I'm afraid you're going to bore me. JOHN. [_Good-humouredly._] I assure you I'm not.... Isn't Basil here rather often? HILDA. I wonder you haven't learnt to mind your own business, John. JOHN. Don't you think it's rather rough on that poor little woman in Putney? HILDA. [_With a suspicion of contempt._] I went down to see her. I thought she was vulgar and pretentious. I'm afraid I can't arouse any interest in her. JOHN. [_Gently._] She may be vulgar, but she told me her love was like music in her heart. Don't you think she must have suffered awfully to get hold of a thought like that? HILDA. [_After a pause, changing suddenly both voice and manner._] And d'you think I've not suffered, John? I'm so unhappy. JOHN. Do you really care for him? HILDA. [_In a low voice hoarse with passion._] No, I don't care for him. I worship the very ground he treads on. JOHN. [_Very gravely._] Then you must do as you think best.... You're playing the most dangerous game in the world. You're playing with human hearts.... Good-bye. HILDA. [_Taking his hand._] Good-bye, John. You're not angry with me because I was horrid.... I'm glad you told me about his wife. Now I shall know what to do. JOHN. Mabel. MABEL. [_Coming forward._] Yes, we really must be going. I've not seen my precious baby for two hours. HILDA. [_Taking both her hands._] Good-bye, you happy child. You've got a precious baby, and you've got a husband you love. What can you want more? MABEL. [_Flippantly._] I want a motor-car. HILDA. [_Kissing her._] Good-bye, darling. [MABEL _and_ JOHN _go out_. BRACKLEY. I like this room, Mrs. Murray. It never seems to say to you: now it's really time for you to go away, as some drawing-rooms do. HILDA. [_Recovering her serenity._] I suppose it's the furniture. I'm thinking of changing it. BRACKLEY. [_With a smile._] Upon my word, that almost suggests that I've outstayed my welcome. HILDA. [_Gaily._] I shouldn't have said that if I didn't know that nothing would induce you to go till you wanted to. BRACKLEY. [_Rising._] You know me like your glove. But it really is growing monstrous late. HILDA. You mustn't go till you've told me who the fair charmer was I saw you with at the play last night. BRACKLEY. Ah, the green-eyed monster! HILDA. [_Laughing._] Don't be so absurd, but I thought you'd like to know her yellow hair was dyed. [BASIL _looks over the pages of a book_, _somewhat annoyed that_ HILDA _takes no notice of him_. BRACKLEY. Of course it was dyed. That was just the charm of it. Any woman can have yellow hair naturally: there's no more credit in that than in having it blue or green. HILDA.