Cæsar's Wife: A Comedy in Three Acts

I don't think he's in love with Miss Pender.

Violet

I told him that he meant nothing to me any more. I told him that I took fancies and got over them. I made him think I was a silly flirt. And he believed me. If he loved me truly, truly, as he did before, whatever I'd said he'd have known it was incredible. Oh, I wouldn't have believed him if he'd made himself cheap in my eyes.

Arthur

My poor child.

Violet

He's not in love with her yet. I know that. He's only pleased and flattered. He's angry with me. If he's angry he must love me still. He asked so little. It only needed a word and he would have loved me as much as ever. What have I done? What harm would it have done you? I've sent him away now for good. It's all over and done with. And my heart aches. What shall I do, Arthur?

Arthur

My dear, have courage. I beseech you to have courage.

Violet

I suppose it's shameful that we should have loved one another at all. But how could we help it? We're masters of our actions, but how can we command our feelings? After all, our feelings are our own. I don't know what I'm going to do, Arthur. It wasn't so bad till to-night; I could control myself, I thought my pain was growing less… I long for him with all my soul, and I must let him go. Oh, I hate him. I hate him. If he'd loved me he might have been faithful to me a few short weeks. He wouldn't cause me such cruel pain.

Arthur

Don't be unjust to him, Violet. I think he fell in love with you without knowing what was happening to him. And when he knew I think he struggled against it as honourably as you did. You know that very little escapes me. I've seen a sort of shyness in him when he was with me, as though he were a little ashamed in my presence. I even felt sorry for him because he felt he was behaving badly to me and he couldn't help himself. He's suffered just as much as you have. It's not very strange that when this girl fell in love with him it should seem to offer a new hope. He was unhappy and she comforted him. Anne says she's rather like you. If ever he loves her perhaps it will be you that he loves in her.

Violet

Why do you say all this to me?

Arthur

You've been so wretched. I don't want bitterness to come to you now. I can't bear that you should think your first love has been for someone not worthy of it. I think time will heal the wounds which now you think are incurable, but when it does I hope that you will look back on your love as a thing only of beauty.

Violet

I am a beast, Arthur. I don't deserve anyone to be so good to me as you are.

Arthur

And there's something else I must tell you… It appears that various enterprising people have been laying plans to put me out of the way.

Violet

[Startled.] Arthur!

Arthur

I find that there was a plot to kill me this morning on my way to the review.

Violet

How awful!

Arthur

Oh, it's nothing to be alarmed about. We've settled everything without any fuss. Our old friend Osman Pasha is going to spend some time on his country estates for the good of his health, and half a dozen foolish young men are under lock and key. But it might have come off except for Ronny. It was Ronny who saved me.

Violet

Ronny? Oh, I'm so glad. It makes up a little for the rest.

Arthur

He did a fine thing. He showed determination and presence of mind.

Violet

Oh, my husband! My dear, dear Arthur!

Arthur

You're not sorry?

Violet

I'm glad I've done what I have, Arthur. I've sometimes felt I gave you so little in return for all you've given me. But at least now I've given you all I had to give.

Arthur

Don't think it will be profitless. To do one's duty sounds a rather cold and cheerless business, but somehow in the end it does give one a queer sort of satisfaction.

Violet

What should I do if I lost you? It makes me sick with fear.

Arthur

[With a tender smile.] I had an idea you'd be glad I escaped.

Violet

All I've suffered has been worth while. I've done something for you, haven't I? And even something for England… I'm so tired.

Arthur

Why don't you go to bed, darling?

Violet