It isn’t nonsense—it’s you I love really all the time. I hate Harry Challoner, really. I’ve been trying to break with him for ages. I made a vow weeks ago that I’d never be unfaithful to you again—honestly I did, I swear it. I’m sick of everybody. I wanted to ask you to take me away abroad somewhere, but I didn’t dare—you had so much work to do—and you were so cold and horrid. Edward—Edward—you’ve got to love me again—you must. I shall go mad if you don’t. Please—Edward darling. [_She flings herself into his arms._] EDWARD [_Gently disentangling himself_] There now—it’s all right. Do stop. [_He kisses her dutifully_] CAROL I feel so bitterly ashamed. EDWARD Stop crying. CAROL I swear I’ll be good. I swear I will. EDWARD That’s right. Now control yourself. CAROL I’ll never see Harry again. EDWARD Very well. For Heaven’s sake stop crying. CAROL I do love you really, you know. That’s what makes it so awful. EDWARD Pull yourself together. CAROL [_Dabbing her eyes_] I’ll try. EDWARD Go and lie down and take something. CAROL What shall I take? EDWARD Aspirin, I should think. CAROL I had some just now. EDWARD Have some more. CAROL All right. Oh, God! [_She goes out slowly, still half sobbing. EDWARD heaves a sigh of mingled relief and irritation, he again flings himself into an armchair. Then comes the sound of the front-door bell. He groans. BERRY enters from R._] EDWARD Whoever it is, Berry, I’m out. BERRY Very good, sir. [_He goes out L. After a moment he re-enters._] I’m very sorry, sir; it’s Major Bathurst. The porter downstairs told him you’d just come in; he’s called already this morning. EDWARD Nobody told me. You’d better show him in. BERRY Yes, sir. [_He goes out and returns, announcing_] Major Bathurst. [_EVELYN comes in. He looks more harassed than ever. BERRY goes out._] EDWARD Hallo, Evie! EVELYN [_Haltingly_] Edward—I—I’ve come to say good-by. EDWARD [_Surprised_] Good-by! EVELYN Yes. I came earlier this morning, but you were out. EDWARD But where on earth are you going? EVELYN Australia. EDWARD Why Australia? EVELYN [_Weakly_] I’ve always wanted to go to Australia. EDWARD What _do_ you mean? EVELYN I mean I’ve got to go there on business. EDWARD It’s very sudden, isn’t it? EVELYN Yes. I had a wire from my brother. EDWARD I didn’t know he was in Australia. EVELYN He isn’t. He’s in Cheltenham, but he sent me a wire saying I ought to go out there at once. EDWARD What’s the matter with you, Evie? EVELYN Nothing. EDWARD You’re not only telling me extremely fatuous lies, but you look like death. EVELYN They’re not lies. I— EDWARD Don’t he an ass. Have a drink. EVELYN No—I don’t want a drink. EDWARD What’s wrong? EVELYN There’s nothing wrong. EDWARD You’d better tell me, you know. EVELYN I want to tell you. EDWARD Come on, then. EVELYN I’ve got to tell you. EDWARD Out with it. EVELYN