PHILIP.

[_Choking._] Oh----!

OTTOLINE.

I may, if I marry at all--and he bothers any more about me.

PHILIP.

[_Stamping up and down._] Bacon Barradell! Bacon Barradell! The wife of
Bacon Barradell!

OTTOLINE.

[_With a sad smile._] He has social aims; a vulgar, pushing woman would
be a serviceable partner for Sir Tim.

PHILIP.

Oh! Oh--! [_Dropping on to the settee on the left and burying his face
in his hands._] Ho, well, more power to him! He can sell his bacon;
I--I can't sell my books!

[_Again there is a silence, and then, putting on her
left-hand glove, she goes to_ PHILIP _and stands over
him compassionately._

OTTOLINE.

_Mon pauvre Philippe_, it's you, not I, who will take another view of
things to-morrow. [_He makes a gesture of dissent._] Ah, come, come,
come! You have never loved me as I have loved you. Unconsciously--without
perceiving it--one may be half a _poseuse_; but at least I've been
sincere in my love for you, and in hungering to be your wife. [_Giving
him her right hand._] You're the best I've ever known, dear; by far the
best I've ever known. [_He presses her hand to his brow convulsively._]
But when we had our talk in South Audley Street, how did you serve me?
You insisted on my waiting--waiting; I who had cherished your image in
my mind for years! You guessed I shouldn't have patience--you almost
prophesied as much; but still--I was to wait!

PHILIP.

[_Inarticulately._] Oh, Otto!

OTTOLINE.

[_Withdrawing her hand._] What did that show, Phil? It showed--as your
compromise with mother and Dad showed afterwards--that the success of
the book you were engaged upon came first with you; that marrying me
was to be only an incident in your career; that you didn't love me
sufficiently to bend your pride or vary your programme a jot. [_He gets
to his feet, startled, dumbfoundered. He attempts to speak, but she
checks him._] H'sh! H'sh! I'm scolding you; but, for your sake, I
wouldn't have it otherwise. Now that I'm sane and cool, I wouldn't have
it otherwise.

PHILIP.

[_Struggling for words--thickly._] Ottoline--Ottoline--[_his voice
dying away_] I----!

OTTO