Page:Strange Interlude (1928).djvu/177

Rh [He sinks down in the chair by the table at left]

[Thinking torturedly]

I said I loved her! she won! she used my desire! but I don’t love her! I won’t! she can’t own my life!

[Violently—almost shouts at her]

I don’t, Nina! I tell you I don’t!

[The maid has just gone to the front door]

Sshh!

[Then in a triumphant whisper]

You do, Ned! You do!

[With dogged stupidity]

I don’t!

[The front door has been opened. ''appears in the rear, walks slowly and woodenly like a man in a trance into the room. He is dressed immaculately in deep mourning. His face is pale, drawn, haggard with loneliness and grief. His eyes have a dazed look as if he were still too stunned to comprehend clearly what has happened to him. He does not seem conscious of presence at first. His shoulders are bowed, his whole figure droops'']

[Thinking—in a strange superstitious panic]

Black in the midst of happiness  black comes  again  death  my father  comes between me and happiness!

[Then recovering herself, scornfully]

You silly coward! it’s only Charlie!