JOHN. [_Speaking to her from the foot of the sofa._] Try me! Try me! Ah, no, Mrs. Phillimore, I shall laugh, live, love and make money again! And let me tell you one thing--I'm going to rap her one over the knuckles. She had a stick of a Connecticut lawyer, and he--well, to cut a legal story short, since Mrs. Karslake's been in Europe, I have been quietly testing the validity of the decree of divorce. Perhaps you don't understand? VIDA. [_Displaying her innate shrewdness._] Oh, about a divorce, everything! JOHN. I shall hear by this evening whether the divorce will stand or not. VIDA. But it's to-day at three she marries--you won't let her commit bigamy? JOHN. [_Shaking his head._] I don't suppose I'd go as far as that. It may be the divorce will hold, but anyway I hope never to see her again. [_He sits down beside her so that their faces are now directly opposite. Taking advantage of the close range, her eyes, without loss of time, open a direct fire._ VIDA. Ah, my poor boy, she has broken your heart. [_Believing that this is her psychological moment, she lays her hand on his arm, but draws it back as soon as he attempts to take it._] Now don't make love to me. JOHN. [_Bold and amused, but never taken in._] Why not? VIDA. [_With immense gentleness._] Because I like you too much! [_More gaily._] I might give in, and take a notion to like you still more! JOHN. Please do! VIDA. [_With gush, and determined to be womanly at all hazards._] Jack, I believe you'd be a lovely lover! JOHN. [_Immensely diverted._] Try me! VIDA. [_Not hoping much from his tone._] You charming, tempting, delightful fellow, I could love you without the least effort in the world,--but, no! JOHN. [_Playing the game._] Ah, well, now _seriously!_ Between two people who have _suffered_ and made their own mistakes-- VIDA. [_Playing the game too, but not playing it well._] But you see, you don't _really_ love me! JOHN. [_Still ready to say what is expected._] Cynthia--Vida, no man can sit beside you and look into your eyes without feeling-- VIDA. [_Speaking the truth as she sees it, seeing that her methods don't succeed._] Oh! That's not love! That's simply--well, my dear Jack, it's beginning at the wrong end. And the truth is you hate Cynthia Karslake with such a whole-hearted hate, that you haven't a moment to think of any other woman. JOHN. [_With sudden anger._] I hate her! VIDA. [_Very softly and most sweetly._] Jack--Jack, I could be as foolish about you as--oh, as foolish as anything, my dear! And perhaps some day--perhaps some day you'll come to me and say, Vida, I am totally indifferent to Cynthia--and then-- JOHN. And then? VIDA. [_The ideal woman in mind._] Then, perhaps, you and I may join hands and stroll together into the Garden of Eden. It takes two to find the Garden of Eden, you know--and once we're on the inside, we'll lock the gate. JOHN. [_Gaily, and seeing straight through her veneer._] And lose the key under a rose-bush!