SHE. There, can't you see? If you speak to me like that now, you'll call me horrible names later, if I don't do everything as you like. And if you were cruel to me, Guy, where should I go--where should I go? I can't trust you. Oh! I can't trust you! HE. I suppose I ought to say that I can trust you. I've ample reason. SHE. Please don't, dear. It hurts as much as if you hit me. HE. It isn't exactly pleasant for me. SHE. I can't help it. I wish I were dead! I can't trust you, and I don't trust myself. Oh, Guy, let it die away and be forgotten! HE. Too late now. I don't understand you--I won't--and I can't trust myself to talk this evening. May I call tomorrow? SHE. Yes. No! Oh, give me time! The day after. I get into my 'rickshaw here and meet Him at Peliti's. You ride. HE. I'll go on to Peliti's too. I think I want a drink. My world's knocked about my ears and the stars are falling. Who are those brutes howling in the Old Library? SHE. They're rehearsing the singing-quadrilles for the Fancy Ball. Can't you hear Mrs. Buzgago's voice? She has a solo. It's quite a new idea. Listen. MRS. BUZGAGO (in the Old Library, con. molt. exp.). See-saw! Margery Daw! Sold her bed to lie upon straw. Wasn't she a silly slut To sell her bed and lie upon dirt? Captain Congleton, I'm going to alter that to “flirt.” It sound better. HE. No, I've changed my mind about the drink. Good night, little lady. I shall see you tomorrow? SHE. Yes. Good night, Guy. Don't be angry with me. HE. Angry! You know I trust you absolutely. Good night and--God bless you! (Three seconds later. Alone.) Hmm! I'd give something to discover whether there's another man at the back of all this. A SECOND-RATE WOMAN Est fuga, volvitur rota, On we drift; where looms the dim port? One Two Three Four Five contribute their quota: Something is gained if one caught but the import, Show it us, Hugues of Saxe-Gotha. --Master Hugues of Saxe-Gotha. “DRESSED! Don't tell me that woman ever dressed in her life. She stood in the middle of her room while her ayah--no, her husband--it must have been a man--threw her clothes at her. She then did her hair with her fingers, and rubbed her bonnet in the flue under the bed. I know she did, as well as if I had assisted at the orgy. Who is she?” said Mrs. Hauksbee. “Don't!” said Mrs. Mallowe, feebly. “You make my head ache. I'm miserable today. Stay me with fondants, comfort me with chocolates, for I am--Did you bring anything from Peliti's?” “Questions to begin with. You shall have the sweets when you have answered them. Who and what is the creature? There were at least half a dozen men round her, and she appeared to be going to sleep in their midst.” “Delville,” said Mrs. Mallowe, “'Shady' Delville, to distinguish her from Mrs. Jim of that ilk. She dances as untidily as she dresses, I believe, and her husband is somewhere in Madras. Go and call, if you are so interested.”