ACT II.
LADY STUTFIELD
Yes; men's good temper shows they are not so sensitive as we are, not so finely strung. It makes a great barrier often between husband and wife, does it not? But I would so much like to know what was the wrong thing Mr. Allonby did.
MRS. ALLONBY
Well, I will tell you, if you solemnly promise to tell everybody else.
LADY STUTFIELD
Thank you, thank you. I will make a point of repeating it.
MRS. ALLONBY
When Ernest and I were engaged, he swore to me positively on his knees that he had never loved any one before in the whole course of his life. I was very young at the time, so I didn't believe him, I needn't tell you. Unfortunately, however, I made no enquiries of any kind till after I had been actually married four or five months. I found out then that what he
57
