Not about me. How long were we----?
PAULA.
I don"t remember, exactly.
HUGH.
Do you--do you think it matters?
PAULA.
His--his daughter. [_With a muttered exclamation he turns away and sits with his head in his hands._] What"s to be done?
HUGH.
I wish I could think.
PAULA.
Oh! Oh! What happened to that flat of ours in Ethelbert Street?
HUGH.
I let it.
PAULA.
All that pretty furniture?
HUGH.
Sold it.
PAULA.
I came across the key of the escritoire the other day in an old purse! [_Suddenly realising the horror and hopelessness of her position, and starting to her feet with an hysterical cry of rage._]
What am I maundering about?
HUGH.
For G.o.d"s sake, be quiet! Do let me think.
PAULA.
This will send me mad! [_Suddenly turning and standing over him._]
You--you beast, to crop up in my life again like this!
HUGH.
I always treated you fairly.
PAULA.
[_Weakly._] Oh! I beg your pardon--I know you did--I----
[_She sinks on to the settee, crying hysterically._
HUGH.
Hush!
PAULA.
She kissed me to-night! I"d won her over! I"ve had such a fight to make her love me! And now--just as she"s beginning to love me, to bring this on her!
HUGH.
Hush, hush! Don"t break down!
PAULA.
[_Sobbing._] You don"t know! I--I haven"t been getting on well in my marriage. It"s been my fault. The life I used to lead spoilt me completely. But I"d made up my mind to turn over a new life from to-night. From to-night!
HUGH.
Paula----
PAULA.
Don"t you call me that!
HUGH.
Mrs. Tanqueray, there is no cause for you to despair in this way.
It"s all right, I tell you--it shall be all right.
PAULA.
[_Shivering._] What are we to do?
HUGH.
Hold our tongues.
PAULA.
Eh?
[_Staring vacantly._