MRS DUBEDAT. I'm listening. I shall not forget. You know that I promise. LOUIS. Well, thats about all; except that you are to hang my pictures at the one-man show. I can trust your eye. You wont let anyone else touch them. MRS DUBEDAT. You can trust me. LOUIS. Then theres nothing more to worry about, is there? Give me some more of that milk. I'm fearfully tired; but if I stop talking I shant begin again. [Sir Ralph gives him a drink. He takes it and looks up quaintly]. I say, B. B., do you think anything would stop you talking? B. B. [almost unmanned] He confuses me with you, Paddy. Poor fellow! Poor fellow! LOUIS [musing] I used to be awfully afraid of death; but now it's come I have no fear; and I'm perfectly happy. Jennifer. MRS DUBEDAT. Yes, dear? LOUIS. I'll tell you a secret. I used to think that our marriage was all an affectation, and that I'd break loose and run away some day. But now that I'm going to be broken loose whether I like it or not, I'm perfectly fond of you, and perfectly satisfied because I'm going to live as part of you and not as my troublesome self. MRS DUBEDAT [heartbroken] Stay with me, Louis. Oh, dont leave me, dearest. LOUIS. Not that I'm selfish. With all my faults I dont think Ive ever been really selfish. No artist can: Art is too large for that. You will marry again, Jennifer. MRS DUBEDAT. Oh, how can you, Louis? LOUIS [insisting childishly] Yes, because people who have found marriage happy always marry again. Ah, I shant be jealous. [Slyly.] But dont talk to the other fellow too much about me: he wont like it. [Almost chuckling] I shall be your lover all the time; but it will be a secret from him, poor devil! SIR PATRICK. Come! youve talked enough. Try to rest awhile. LOUIS [wearily] Yes: I'm fearfully tired; but I shall have a long rest presently. I have something to say to you fellows. Youre all there, arnt you? I'm too weak to see anything but Jennifer's bosom. That promises rest. RIDGEON. We are all here. LOUIS [startled] That voice sounded devilish. Take care, Ridgeon: my ears hear things that other people's cant. Ive been thinking--thinking. I'm cleverer than you imagine. SIR PATRICK [whispering to Ridgeon] Youve got on his nerves, Colly. Slip out quietly. RIDGEON [apart to Sir Patrick] Would you deprive the dying actor of his audience? LOUIS [his face lighting up faintly with mischievous glee] I heard that, Ridgeon. That was good. Jennifer dear: be kind to Ridgeon always; because he was the last man who amused me. RIDGEON [relentless] Was I? LOUIS. But it's not true. It's you who are still on the stage. I'm half way home already. MRS DUBEDAT [to Ridgeon] What did you say? LOUIS [answering for him] Nothing, dear. Only one of those little secrets that men keep among themselves. Well, all you chaps have thought pretty hard things of me, and said them. B. B. [quite overcome] No, no, Dubedat. Not at all.