- I know you're full of generous, honest
impulses, though I _did_ tear you to rags in Farncombe's hearing a few
hours ago. But I'm not going to allow you to sacrifice yourself to
them; I-- I-- I've come to my senses, and I'm not going to permit it.
[_Bending forward._] Oh, my dear, why should I make you pay for the
weaknesses of my character? Because that's what it 'ud amount to. I've
bullied you for having played skittles with my life, my career. So you
_have_! Damn it, so you have! But you've done it out of blind
thoughtlessness; and if I'd been a fairly strong man, with some
ballast in me, you _couldn't_ have landed me where I am-- not you nor
fifty Pandora girls! [_Sitting erect._] And that-- that's the moral of
the tale; and-- and-- [_abruptly, to FARNCOMBE_] There's nothing more,
is there, Farncombe?

FARNCOMBE.

[_Brokenly._] Except that-- that I'd like to repeat-- what I've
already said to Jeyes-- that I-- [_his elbows on the table, his head
bowed_] oh, you make me feel terribly small, Jeyes.

[_Again there is a pause, and then LILY struggles to her feet and
holds out her hand to JEYES uncertainly, and at once he rises and
takes her in his arms. FARNCOMBE also rises and, standing behind the
settee, turns his back to JEYES and LILY._

LILY.

[_To JEYES, choking._] Ah, Nicko-- I can't-- I can't----

JEYES.

[_Patting her shoulder._] Ah----!

LILY.

Why, what-- what would become of my resolutions----?

JEYES.

Resolutions?

LILY.

To-- to raise you _up_, Nicko.

JEYES.

You _are_ raising me up-- setting me on my legs again.

LILY.

[_In a fright._] And-- and drawing Eddie into my net!

JEYES.

Oh, we've talked of that too, he and I. He's given me an account of
what passed between you here. My dear girl, your conscience may be
quite clear on that point. Nobody can ever reproach _you_ with trying
to draw him into your net.

LILY.

They _would_-- they _would_----

JEYES.

At all events, the task you have to face now is to prove to the
world-- _his_ world-- that Miss Parradell is equal to playing "lead"
on a bigger stage than the stage of the Pandora. [_Holding her at
arms' length and shaking her fondly._] And you'll _do_ it! Ho, ho, ho,
ho! _You'll_ do it! Ha, ha, ha--! [_His voice dies away miserably and
he releases her. Then, pulling himself together, he looks at his
watch._] Well, I've got to lunch with Bob at half-past one at the
Junior Carlton----

LILY.

[_Agitated