Page:Strange Interlude (1928).djvu/231

Rh It’s all right. I’m going out to find Sam. When he knows you’re here he’ll come on the run, Darrell.

[''He goes to the door. They watch him suspiciously'']

And you two probably have a lot to talk over.

[He chuckles pleasantly and goes into the hall—mockingly warning]

We’ll be back before long.

[The front door is heard slamming. and ''turn and look at each other guiltily and frightenedly. Then he comes to her and takes both of her hands uncertainly'']

[Stammeringly]

Nina—I—I’ve come back to you—do you—do you still care—Nina?

[Giving way to his love passionately, as if to drown her fears]

I love you, Ned!

[Kisses her awkwardly—stammering]

I—I didn’t know—you seemed so cold—damn Marsden—he suspects, doesn’t he?—but it makes no difference now, does it?

[Then in a flood of words]

Oh, it’s been hell, Nina! I couldn’t forget you! Other women—they only made me love you more! I hated them and loved you even at the moment when—that’s honest! It was always you in my arms—as you used to be—those afternoons—God, how I’ve thought of them—lying awake—recalling every word you said, each movement, each ex-