Page:The great Galeoto; Folly or saintliness; two plays done from the verse of José Echegaray into English prose by Hannah Lynch (IA greatgaleotofoll00echerich).djvu/100

 think and say, and this is my business. Others will look for the insult, I for the punishment.

. [Coming nearer and speaking softly, as if afraid of her own voice.] And Julian?

. Well?

. If he were to know about it?

. He will know about it.

. What will he say?

. What?

. That only my husband, the man who loves me, has a right to defend me.

. Every honourable man has the right to defend a lady. He may not even know her, be neither a friend, nor a relative, nor a lover. It is enough for him to hear a woman insulted. Why do I fight this duel? Why do I defend her? Because I heard the calumny. Because I am myself. Who is so base as to give his protection by scale and measure? Was I not there? Then whoever it was—I or another—who was first on the scene

. [Listens eagerly, dominated by him, and holds out her hand to him.] This is noble and honourable, and worthy of you, Ernest [then restrains herself and moves backward]. But it leaves Julian humiliated [with conviction].

. He? humiliated!

. Most surely.

. Why?

. For no reason whatever.

. Who will say so?

. Everybody. 60