LEONARD. Well, of all the damnable things to say—— LATIMER. How damnable the truth is! Think it over to-night, Leonard. You are a poor man for your position—think of all the things you could do with a hundred thousand pounds. Turn it over in your mind—and then over and over again. A hundred thousand pounds. (_For a moment it seems as if LEONARD is beginning to turn it, but ANNE interrupts._) ANNE (_scornfully_). Is this part of the treatment? Am I being shown my lover when he is mercenary? LATIMER (_with a laugh_). Oh no! If that were part of my treatment, there would be no marriages at all. Oh no, it isn’t a genuine offer. (_To LEONARD_) It’s off, Leonard. You needn’t think it out any more. (_LEONARD wakes up suddenly, a poor man._) Besides, you misunderstand me. I don’t want to separate you by force—I have no right to. ANNE. But how modest suddenly! LATIMER (_with a bow and a smile_). Madam, I admire your spirit. ANNE. Leonard, I am receiving the attentions of another man. Beware of jealousy.... All part of the treatment, Mr. Latimer? LATIMER. You’re splendid. (_Seriously_) But I meant what I said just now. I am not preventing you from going the Dover Road, I am only asking you to wait a few days and see how you get on. It may be that you two are the perfect soul-mates; that your union has already been decreed in Heaven and will be watched over by the angels. If so, nobody will rejoice in your happiness more than I. I shall not say, “You have no right to be happy together. Leonard must remain with his lawfully-wedded Eustasia.” Believe me, I do not waste my money, my time, my breath in upholding the sanctity of an unhappy marriage. I was brought up in the sanctity of an unhappy marriage; even as a child I knew all about it. (_Less seriously_) But oh, my dear Anne, let us have a little common sense before we adventure marriage with a man who is always making a mess of it. We know what Leonard is—how perfectly hopeless as a husband. ANNE. I don’t think that is quite fair. LATIMER. Well, as far as we can tell. You’ve never made a happy marriage yet, have you, Leonard? LEONARD (_sulkily_). I don’t want to say anything against Eustasia—— LATIMER. Good God, man, aren’t you shouting it all the time? Why else are you here? But don’t try to pretend that it’s all Eustasia’s fault. LEONARD (_doubtfully_). Well—— LATIMER. Or that it will be all Anne’s fault _next_ year. LEONARD. What do you mean, next year? LATIMER. I beg your pardon. I should have said the year after next. (_There is a little silence._) ANNE (_getting up_). I think I will go to bed. How long do you want us to wait? LATIMER. Can you spare a week? You with so many years in front of you. ANNE (_deciding that the moment has come to put MR. LATIMER in his place_). I have a father. I left him a note to say what I was doing. We don’t see much of each other, but I thought it polite. (_Triumphantly_) Does _that_ interfere with your plans at all?