ne, for all you've been to
me. When we are out of this cursed country, and I have you to myself, I
will try to show you. (She says nothing, and he walks restlessly about
the room. He picks up a hat and says) Hullo, Tommy's here.

PAMELA (quickly). I don't want to see him, I don't want to see anybody.
We must just tell Gerald and then go.

BOB. Anybody might come at any moment. You should have let me write as I
wanted to. Or waited till he came back to London.

PAMELA. We've given up being cowards. Perhaps you'd better try and find
him. We'll only tell Gerald. If we see the others, we'll just have to
make the best of it.

BOB (moving off towards the door in front of the staircase). All right.
If I find him I'll send him in here. [He goes out.]

(PAMELA drops into a chair and remains looking at the fire. GERALD,
coming down from the gallery above, suddenly catches sight of her.)

GERALD (rushing down the stairs). Pamela! Why, Pamela! (Excitedly) Why
are you--You said tomorrow. Pamela, you said--Never mind, you're here.
Oh, bless you! (PAMELA has got up to meet him, and he is now standing
holding her hands, and looking at her happily.) Pamela's here; all's
right with the world. (He leans forward to kiss her, but she stops him.)

PAMELA (nervously). No, no; I've something to tell you, Gerald.

GERALD. I've got a thousand things to tell _you_.

PAMELA. Bob's here.

GERALD (excited). Bob? Did you come down with him?

PAMELA. Yes.

GERALD. I had a telegram, but it didn't say--Did you meet him? Why
didn't he tell us? Where is he?

PAMELA. He just went to look for you.

GERALD. I'll soon find him.

(He turns away to go after BOB, but PAMELA stops him.)

PAMELA. Gerald!

GERALD (turning round). Yes.

PAMELA. Never mind Bob for the moment. I wanted to see you alone.

GERALD (coming back quickly). Of course. Hang Bob! Come on the sofa and
tell me everything. Jove! it's wonderful to see you again; you've been
away for years.

(He takes her hand and tries to lead her towards the sofa, but she
stops.)

PAMELA. Gerald, you're making it very hard for me; I've got something to
tell you.

GERALD (afraid suddenly and speaking sharply). What do you mean?

PAMELA. Oh, don't look at me like that--I know it will hurt you, but it
won't be more than that. I want you to release me from my promise.

GERALD. What promise?

PAMELA (in a low voice). My promise to marry you.

GERALD. I don't understand. Why?

PAMELA