_Tom._
Haven't you just been gossiping with Mother Mossop?
_Avonia._
[_Behind his chair, breathlessly, her eyes bolting._]
A secret, Tom?
_Tom._
[_Nodding._] I should like to share it with you, because--you are fond
of her too----
_Avonia._
Ah----!
_Tom._
And because the possession of it is worrying me. But there, I can't
trust you.
_Avonia._
Mr. Wrench!
_Tom._
No, you're a warm-hearted woman, 'Vonia, but you're a sieve.
_Avonia._
[_Going down upon her knees beside him._] I swear! By all my hopes, Tom
Wrench, of hitting 'em as Prince Charming in the coming pantomime, I
swear I will not divulge, leave alone tell a living soul, any secret you
may intrust to me, or let me know of, concerning Rose Trelawny of the
"Wells." Amen!
_Tom._
[_In her ear._] 'Vonia, I know where Arthur Gower is.
_Avonia._
Is! isn't he still in London?
_Tom._
[_Producing a letter mysteriously._] No. When Rose stuck to her refusal
to see him--listen--mind, not a word----!
_Avonia._
By all my hopes-----!
_Tom._
[_Checking her_]. All right, all right! [_Reading._] "Theatre Royal,
Bristol. Friday---------"
_Avonia._
Theatre Royal, Br----!
_Tom._
Be quiet! [_Reading._] "My dear Mr. Wrench. A whole week, and not a
line from you to tell me how Miss Trelawny is. When you are silent I am
sleepless at night and a haggard wretch during the day. Young Mr. Kirby,
our Walking Gentleman, has been unwell, and the management has given me
temporarily some of his business to play------"
_Avonia._
_Arthur._Gower------!
_Tom._
Will you? [_Reading._] "Last night I was allowed to appear as Careless
in _The School for Scandal_. Miss Mason, the Lady Teazle, complimented
me, but the men said I lacked vigor,"--the old cry!--"and so this
morning I am greatly depressed. But I will still persevere, as long as
you can assure me that no presuming fellow is paying attention to Miss
Trelawny. Oh, how badly she treated me----!"
_Avonia._
[_Following the reading of the letter._] "How badly she treated me----!"
_Tom._
"I will never forgive her--only love her----"
_Avonia._
"Only love her----"
_Tom._
"Only love her, and hope I may some day become a great actor, and, like
herself, a gypsy. Yours very gratefully, Arthur Gordon."
_Avonia._
In the Profession!
_Tom._