Chapter II: Six months later

Captain Furness's _rooms, 11.30 p.m._

_Enter_ Furness _and_ Diana.

_Furness._ There, dear, now we can have a nice little supper together. You do love me, don't you?

_Diana._ I suppose so. I love talking to you on the telephone, anyway. I can't think what we should have done in this play without the telephone.

_Furness._ And you will come away with me to-morrow?

_Diana._ Yes. (_To the audience_) Oh, I've only got eighteen months---- (_To_ Furness) Excuse me, Philip, this is a soliloquy; would you mind not listening for a moment? (_He turns away and prepares the supper._) Oh, I've only got eighteen months more, and I want to _live_! I want to talk on the telephone to people, and keep on changing my clothes, and recite--and--and--_Philip_! You _don't_ mean to say those are _marrons glacés_ you've got there?

_Furness._ Rather. Don't you like 'em?

_Diana._ How dare you? You _know_ the doctors won't let me touch them.

_Furness._ My dear, you never told me what the doctors said to you. What did they say?

_Diana._ Well, anyhow, they said, "No more _marrons glacés_."

_Furness._ Really, Diana, how could I know?

_Diana._ You ought to have guessed. You've insulted me and I'm going home. And I shan't run away with you now. (_Picks up her cloak and goes to the door._) Er--if I _should_ change my mind in the morning I'll--er--telephone.

_Next morning._

_Furness_ (_at the telephone_). Yes--yes--no, Lorenzo--both ways. What? Oh, I beg your pardon, I thought it was--is it you, Diana?... You _will_ come? Good.

_Enter_ John Staffurth.

_Staffurth._ Good morning. (_Looking at his watch._) I want a little talk with you if you aren't busy,

_Furness._ Certainly. (_Handing box._) Won't you begin a cigarette?

_Staffurth_ (_taking out case_). Thanks, I'll begin one of my own. (_Does so._) Now then. My sister-in-law--or cousin or--anyhow, my friend Miss--or Mrs.--Cullen, Barbara Cullen, who--er--is still with us, told me some days ago that you were about to elope with my wife. Is that so?

_Furness._ Yes.

_Staffurth._ Yes. I ought to have spoken to you about it before, but I have been very busy lately at the House. The Government is bringing in its Bill for the Abolition of Telephones on the Stage, and it is necessary for the full strength of the Opposition to be there. As I said in my speech, any such Bill would, to take a case, ruin Mr. TEMPLE THURSTON'S new play at the Haymarket, and recent by-elections have shown that the country was---- However, I need not bother you with that. The point is that I have at last managed to get away to see you, and I want to know what it is you propose to do.

_Furness._ I'm going to send in my papers and take your wife away with me.

_Staffurth._ Ah! Then perhaps before you ruin your career I'd better tell you what the doctors say about her, She is not----

_Furness_ (_impatiently_). My dear chap, I know. She told me last night. But it's all right, I don't much care for them myself.

_Staffurth._----not likely to live for more than eighteen months.

_Furness._ My God!

_Staffurth._ That's what we all said several times when we heard it. Well?

_Furness._ Well, I mean, this wants thinking about. I had no---- My career--only eighteen months----

_Staffurth_ (_breaking out at last_). You beastly egotist! You think of nothing but your rotten career. You cur, you hound, you dog! You----

_Furness_ (_annoyed_). Now I warn you, Staffurth, I may only be about half your size, but I shall have to thrash you severely if you talk like that.

_Staffurth._ You dog.

_Furness_ (_with dignity_). For the sake of your wife, go before I climb up you and strike you. [_Exit_ Staffurth.

CURTAIN.

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Illustration: A THREATENED STRIKE.

_John Staffurth_ .. Mr. C. AUBREY SMITH. _CAPTAIN FURNESS_ .. MR. OWEN NARES.

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