I may tell you that I anticipated her rejection of your proposal directly you communicated it to me—— OLIVE. Indeed? MRS. CLOYS. And I must say—[_looking at_ THEOPHILA]—that I fully sympathise with the—ah—the feelings of—— OLIVE. [_Rigidly._] Of Mrs. Fraser? MRS. CLOYS. [_Politely._] Of Mrs. Fraser. [QUAIFE _enters, and advances a few steps towards_ MRS. CLOYS, _who speaks to him quickly_.] Has——? [_She breaks off, looking at him significantly._ QUAIFE. Yes, ma’am. MRS. CLOYS. [_To_ FRASER.] Mr. Fraser, may I trouble you to follow me? I have something to say to you. [QUAIFE _withdraws. To_ THEOPHILA.] I must run away for a few moments. Shall I send Justina to you? OLIVE. [_Quickly._] Oh, Mrs. Fraser, let me speak a few words to you while no one is present——! THEOPHILA. Certainly. [MRS. CLOYS _passes her hand over_ THEOPHILA’S _head caressingly, then hurries to the door_. MRS. CLOYS. Mr.Fraser—— [_She goes out_, FRASER _accompanying her_. OLIVE _looks round the room, then sits, slowly and deliberately upon the settee_. OLIVE. [_After a little pause._] Forgive me. THEOPHILA. Forgive you——! OLIVE. Oh, do make the effort! THEOPHILA. I can’t understand your asking for my forgiveness, wanting it. OLIVE. Endeavour to understand me. I don’t remember that it ever struck me, when you and I were—friends, that your disposition was a jealous one. THEOPHILA. No? OLIVE. It isn’t, is it? THEOPHILA. I couldn’t go the lengths you’ve gone, from jealousy, if you mean that. OLIVE. [_Sadly._] Ah——! THEOPHILA. Oh, don’t you think that enough has been done in the name of jealousy? For months and months it has made a hell of my life, your jealousy. People have seen me walking about looking merry; but what sort of days and nights does a woman really spend with the Divorce Court looming before her? “Allingham _versus_ Allingham, Fraser intervening!” that’s the air you’ve kept me dancing to since—goodness knows when the music first struck up! And now I’m to forgive you, offhand, because—you happen to have a jealous disposition! OLIVE. [_Falteringly._] You were sustained all the time by the knowledge that you were an innocent, persecuted woman—— THEOPHILA.