Well, I suppose it _is_ another—what d’ye call it?—injudicious act on my part. But it seemed to me, if I thought about it at all, that we came so badly out of it to-day, that nothing matters much now. At any rate, _my_ character’s gone. JOHN. [_Advancing a step or two, but avoiding her eye._] No, no—— THEOPHILA. Oh, isn’t it? And yours has gone too, Jack; only a man gets on comfortably without one. [_Facing him, her elbows on the table._] Well, what do you think of my news? JOHN. [_Looking at her, startled._] By Jove, how dreadfully white you are! THEOPHILA. [_With a nod and a smile._] The looks have gone with the character—[_putting her hands over her face_]—both departed finally. JOHN. [_Coming a little nearer to her._] Er—when you’ve had a little rest you will see everything in a brighter light—— THEOPHILA. I should have kept my appearance a good many years, being fair and small. [_Removing her hands—looking up at him._] You used to tell me I should last pretty till I’m forty-five. Do you remember? [_His jaw drops a little, and he stares at her without replying._] Do you remember? JOHN. [_Moving away._] Oh—er—yes—— [THEOPHILA. Is there anything wrong with you, Jack? JOHN. Wrong—with me? No. [_She shifts to the other side of the table, to be nearer to him. He eyes her askance._ THEOPHILA. Why don’t you tell me what you think of my news? JOHN. Your news? THEOPHILA. [_Impatiently._] You’ve read my letter, Jack. I’m a—what am I?—a single woman again; a sort of widow. JOHN. You are acting too hastily; you’re simply carried away by a rush of indignation. Perhaps matters can be arranged, patched up. You mustn’t be allowed to—— THEOPHILA. Arranged! patched up! You don’t realise what you’re proposing! You wouldn’t make such a suggestion if you had been a fly on the wall this afternoon while Mr. Fraser and I were—having a little talk. [_Struggling to keep back her tears._] Alec—my husband—he was very much in love with me at one time! I never doubted that he would stand by me through thick and thin. He has done so pretty well, up till to-day, up till the trial, and then, suddenly, he—he—— [_She produces her handkerchief, rises, then moves away abruptly, and stands, with her back to_ JOHN, _crying_. JOHN.