Page:Under the Gaslight.djvu/8

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make me forget her, it would be you. But if you had a lover, wouldn't you like him to be as constant as that?

Pearl. That's quite another thing.

Ray. But this doesn't answer my question―Where is she?

Pearl. I sent for her as soon as I saw you coming. She has hardly been down here a moment all this evening. O, dear! Now don't you think I'm a victim, to be cooped up in this way instead of receiving calls as we used to?

Ray. You forget that your mother died only last summer. (Rising.)

Pearl. No, I don't forget. Pshaw! You're just like. She's only my cousin, and yet she keeps always saying―"Poor aunt Mary! let us not forget how she would have sorrowed for us."

Ray. (Going towards back). Well, don't you know she would, too?

Pearl. I don't know anything about it. I was always at boarding school, and she only saw me once a year. was always at home, and it's very different. But don't let's talk about it. To die—ugh! I don't want to die till I don't want to live—and that'll not be for a million of years. Come, tell me where have you been to-day? how many calls did you make? (Sitting in tete-a-tete).

Ray. About sixty.

Pearl. That all? You're lazy. and made a hundred and thirty, and they say that's nothing. Won't you have a cup of coffee?

Ray. No.

Pearl. Ain't you hungry?

Ray. No—you torment.

Pearl. O, dear ! I suppose it's because you're going to be mar ried shortly to. If there's one time that a man's stupid to his friends, it's when he's going to be married shortly. Tell me whom you saw. ( has sauntered off, and is looking over cards on table.) Where are you? Oh, you needn't be so impatient to see her. Do be agreeable; sit here and tell me something funny, or I shall drop down and fall asleep.

Ray. (Over her shoulder). You witch! Why didn't I fall in love with you?

Pearl. (Laughing.) I don't know; why didn't you?

Ray. You never keep me waiting. (Listening off ) Ah, that's her step! No.

Pearl. Do sit down.

Ray. (Sitting). This calling's a great bore; but as you and insisted I should go through it, I did. First I—(Jumping up.) I knew it was she. (Goes to door, : meets, who enters.) How you did keep me waiting. (Kisses both her hands.)

Laura. And you, sir, we have been looking for you since eight o'clock.

Ray. O, I was fulfilling your orders. I've been engaged in the business of calling, from ten o 'clock in the morning, till now— (looks at watch—) ten at night.

Laura. Well, you can make this your last one, for you have leave to spend a nice long hour chatting here before you go. Won't you have some supper. (Goes to bell). 2 on table.

Ray. I don't care if I do. I'm rather famished.

Pearl. Well, I declare! Did bring your appetite with her?

rings.