LADY TORMINSTER. Of course I loved him--and I love him now.
SIR GEOFFREY. [_Triumphantly._] You see!
LADY TORMINSTER. If we women had had a hand in the making of the language,
how many words there would be to express our feelings towards the men we
are fond of! Of course I love Jack. I'm cruel to him sometimes; and there
comes a look into his eyes--he has dog's eyes, you know--a faithful
Newfoundland--
SIR GEOFFREY. [_Very earnestly._] I don't think women quite realise what
friendship means to a man.
LADY TORMINSTER. I am certain that men don't realise what marriage means
to a woman! Dear funeral, am I not a good wife--shall I not remain a good
wife, till the end of the chapter? Because there isn't only Jack--there
are Jack's children.
SIR GEOFFREY. Yes.
LADY TORMINSTER. And isn't it wonderful, when you think of it--here are we
two, Jack's friend and his wife, alone on a desert island--and we have
confessed our love for each other, and we are able to discuss it as calmly
as though it were rheumatism!
SIR GEOFFREY. [_With a groan._] If only I hadn't induced you to stay!
LADY TORMINSTER. [_Smiling._] My dear friend, you didn't!
SIR GEOFFREY. [_Amazed._] I didn't?
LADY TORMINSTER. Why no--of course not. I knew you were going to-morrow.
SIR GEOFFREY. How?
LADY TORMINSTER. Oh, never mind how! I knew. And I suspected you would be
sitting up here to-night. So I came down, hoping to find you. I wanted
this talk with you. And I extracted your confession--as though it had been
a tooth.
SIR GEOFFREY. And why?
LADY TORMINSTER. Why? Because it will be something to think of, in the
dull days ahead. Because I knew that you loved me, and wanted to be told.
Because your life lies before you, and mine is ended. Because I love you,
and insisted that you should know. You leave me now, and I have no
illusions. Paolo and Francesca are merely a poet's dream. You will
marry--of course you will marry--but this moment, at least, has been mine.
SIR GEOFFREY. [_Stretching out yearning hands._] This moment, and every
moment, in past and future!
LADY TORMINSTER. Ah, the future! Strange little syllables that hide so
much! I can see you, introducing your wife to me, a little shyly--I can
see myself, shaking hands with her--and with you.... My boy is seven
already--time travels fast.... But it's good to know that you really have
loved me, all these years....
SIR GEOFFREY. By day and by night--you, and only you!
LADY TORMINSTER. And I have loved you--ah, yes, I have loved you!... And,
having said this to each other, we will not meet again--till you bring me
your wife.
SIR GEOFFREY. Ah--then!
LADY TORMINSTER. I have loved you, and I love you, for the fine, upright,
loyal creature that you are. I love you for loving Jack; and it is Jack's
great quality in my eyes that he has been able to inspire such love. And,
my dear friend, let us not be ashamed, we two, but only very proud, and
very happy. We shall go our ways, and do our duty; but we shall never
forget this talk we have had to-night.
SIR GEOFFREY. [_Gently._] I am beginning to understand....
LADY TORMINSTER. You will be less lonely in future ... and I no longer
afraid of the stars.... Brave heart--oh, brave little heart that I for a
moment have held in my hands!
SIR GEOFFREY. [_With a passionate movement towards her._] Gertrude!
LADY TORMINSTER. [_Lifting a finger._] No--stay where you are.... Those
are the first rays of dawn--I must go.... Good-bye. We have no need to
shake hands, you and I.... Ah, Geoffrey--good-bye!
[_She goes swiftly, and closes the door. He bends his head, and
remains standing, motionless, by the table._