PIKE [smiling]. Pshaw!
ETHEL. It was unworthy of me, unworthy of the higher and nobler things
that life calls me to live up to [proudly]--that I _shall_ live up to.
The money means nothing to me--I am not thinking of that. It is merely a
necessary form.
PIKE. Have you talked with Mr. St. Aubyn about this settlement--this
present you want to make him?
ETHEL. Not with him.
PIKE [amused]. I thought not! You'll see--he wouldn't take it if I'd let
you give it to him. A fine man like that wants to make his own way, of
course. Mighty few men like to have fun poked at 'em about livin' on
their wife's money.
ETHEL [despairingly]. Oh, I _can't_ make you understand! A settlement
isn't a gift.
PIKE [as if humoring her]. How'd you happen to decide that just a
hundred and fifty thousand pounds was what you wanted to give him?
ETHEL. It was Mr. St. Aubyn's father who fixed the amount.
PIKE. His _father_? What's _he_ got to do with it?
ETHEL. He is the Earl of Hawcastle, the head of the ancient house.
PIKE. And he asks you for your property--asks you for it in so many
words?
ETHEL. As a _settlement_!
PIKE [aghast]. And your young man _knows_ it?
ETHEL. I tell you I have not discussed it with Mr. St. Aubyn.
PIKE [emphatically]. I reckon not! Well, sir, do you know what's the
first thing Mr.
Pages:
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56