Part 58

It's true. Life'll be over for me from that moment, if you refuse to marry me.

LILY.

FARNCOMBE.

Oh, love is all on my side at present, naturally; but, as God hears me, it'll be no fault of mine if you don't grow to love me in time.

LILY.

Listen----!

FARNCOMBE.

I'll worship you-- worship you. I do worship you!

LILY.

H'sh! Lord Farncombe----

FARNCOMBE.

Eddie! Won't you?

LILY.

Certainly not.

FARNCOMBE.

Do! Eddie! Eddie!

LILY.

Eddie, then----

FARNCOMBE.

Ah----!

LILY.

Sit down a minute. [She goes to the settee and sits there, somewhat ruffled, and he moves to the arm-chair by the centre table and also sits, his elbows on his knees, bending towards her. She pushes her hair back from her brow impatiently, as if vexed with herself.] Lord Farncombe-- Eddie-- for how long have you known me?

FARNCOMBE.

What does it matter? I-- I admit----

LILY.

Reckoning our acquaintance from last week-- from the afternoon Bertie brought you here, when we scarcely spoke to one another-- you haven't known me for as many days as you can count on your fingers.

FARNCOMBE.

I've watched you-- watched you in the theatre----