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[Thinking triumphantly—with a certain cruelty]

He loves me! he’s mine now more than ever! he’ll never dare leave me again!

[Certain of herself now, she comes to him and speaks with confident pleasure]

Hello, Ned! This is a wonderful surprise! How are you?

[She takes his hand]

[Taken aback—confusedly]

Oh—all right, Nina.

[Thinking in a panic]

That tone! as if she didn’t care! can’t believe that! she’s playing a game to fool Marsden!

[Who is watching them keenly—thinking]

She loves his love for her she’s cruelly confident  much as I hate this man I can’t help feeling sorry  I know her cruelty  it’s time I took a hand in this  what a plot for a novel!

[Almost mockingly]

Darrell’s father died, Nina. He had to come home to see about the estate.

[With a glare at —protestingly]

I was coming home anyway. I only intended to stay a year, and it’s over that since—

[Intensely]

I was coming back anyway, Nina!