The Greatest Plays of William Somerset Maugham. Уильям Сомерсет Моэм

      [Still more vehemently.] You're stealing my husband from me. You're a wicked woman.

      Hilda.

      [Almost in a whisper.] If you like I'll promise you never to see your husband again.

      Jenny.

      [With angry scorn.] Much good your promises will do me. I wouldn't believe a word you said. I know what Society ladies are. We know all about them in the City.

      Basil.

      [To Hilda.] You must leave us alone.

      [He opens the door, and she goes out, looking away from him.

      Jenny.

      [Savagely.] She's frightened of me. She daren't stand up to me.

      Basil.

      [As Hilda goes.] I'm so sorry.

      Jenny.

      You're sorry for her.

      Basil.

      [Turning on her.] Yes, I am. What d'you mean by coming here and behaving like this?

      Jenny.

      I've caught you at last.... You liar! You dirty liar! You told me you were going to Chancery Lane.

      Basil.

      I have been to Chancery Lane.

      Jenny.

      Oh, I know you have—for five minutes. It was only an excuse. You might just as well have come here straight.

      Basil.

      [Angrily.] How dare you follow me?

      Jenny.

      I've got a right to follow you.

      Basil.

      [Unable to contain himself.] What d'you want here?

      Jenny.

      I want you. D'you think I didn't guess what was going on? I saw you come in with Halliwell. Then I saw him go out with his wife. Then another man went out, and I knew you were alone with her.

      Basil.

      [Sharply.] How did you know?

      Jenny.

      I gave the butler a sovereign, and he told me.

      Basil.

      [Looking for a word to express his contempt.] Oh, you ... you cad! It's only what I should have expected you to do.

      Jenny.

      And then I waited for you, and you didn't come. And at last I couldn't wait any longer.

      Basil.

      Well, you've finished it now.

      [Jenny catches sight of a photograph of Basil, standing on a table.

      Jenny.

      [Pointing to it.] What's she got your photograph here for?

      Basil.

      I gave it to Mrs. Murray before I was married.

      Jenny.

      She's got no right to keep it there.

      [She takes the photograph and flings it violently on the floor.

      Basil.

      Jenny, what are you doing?

      [Jenny digs her heel into it savagely, viciously.

      Jenny.

      [Hissing the words.] Oh, I hate her. I hate her.

      Basil.

      [Striving to contain himself.] You drive me perfectly mad. You'll make me say things that I shall regret all my life. For Heaven's sake, go.

      Jenny.

      I shan't go till you come with me.

      Basil.

      [Beside himself.] I choose to remain.

      Jenny.

      What d'you mean?

      Basil.

      Look here, until to-day I swear to you before God that I've never done anything or said anything that you couldn't have known. Do you believe me?

      Jenny.

      I don't believe that you're not in love with that woman.

      Basil.

      I don't ask you to.

      Jenny.

      What!

      Basil.

      I said, until to-day I've been absolutely faithful to you. Heaven knows, I've tried to do my duty. I've done all I could to make you happy. And I've struggled with all my might to love you.

      Jenny.

      Say it out if you've got anything to say, I'm not afraid to hear.

      Basil.

      I don't wish to deceive you. It's best that you should know what has happened.

      Jenny.

      [Scornfully.] Now for another thumping lie.

      Basil.

      This afternoon I told Hilda I loved her.... And she loves me too.

      Jenny.

      [With a cry of rage.] Oh!

      [She hits at his face with her umbrella, but he wards the blow, and, snatching the umbrella from her, throws it away.

      Basil.

      You've brought it on yourself. You made me too unhappy.

      [Jenny, panting and bewildered, stands helpless, trying to control herself.

      Basil.

      And now it's the end. The life we led was impossible. I tried to do something that was beyond my power. I'm going away. I can't and I won't live with you any longer.

      Jenny.

      [Frightened at herself and at what he says.] Basil, you don't mean that?

      Basil.

      I've struggled against it for months. And now I'm beaten.

      Jenny.

      You've got me to count with. I won't let you go.

      Basil.

      [Bitterly.] What more d'you want? Isn't it enough that you've ruined my whole life?

      Jenny.

      [Hoarsely.] You don't love me?

      Basil.

      I never loved you.

      Jenny.

      Why did you marry me?

      Basil.

      Because you made me.

      Jenny.

      [In a whisper.] You never loved me—even at the beginning?

      Basil.

      Never.

      Jenny.

      Basil!

      Basil.

      It's too late now to keep it in. I must tell you and have done with it. You've been having it out for months—now it's my turn.

      Jenny.

      [Going up to him and trying to put her arm round his neck.] But I love you, Basil. I'll make you love me.

      Basil.

      [Shrinking from her.] Don't touch me!

      Jenny.