Читать книгу Three Plays by Granville Barker: The Marrying of Ann Leete, The Voysey Inheritance & Waste онлайн

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mr. tetgeen.Sir Charles is busy.

sarah.[Disguising a little spasm of pain.]Shall we get to business?

mr. tetgeen now takes a moment to find his phrase.

mr. tetgeen.I don't know the man's name.

sarah.This, surely, is how you might address a seduced housemaid.

mr. tetgeen.But Sir Charles and he, I understand, have talked the matter over.

The shock of this brings sarah to her feet, white with anger.

sarah.Divorce me.

mr. tetgeen.[Sharply.]Is there ground for it?

sarah.[With a magnificent recovery of self control.]I won't tell you that.

mr. tetgeen.I have said we have no case... that is to say, we don't want one; but any information is a weapon in store.

sarah.You did quite right to insult me.

mr. tetgeen.As a rule I despise such methods.

sarah.It's a lie that they met... those two men?

mr. tetgeen.It may be.

sarah.It must be.

mr. tetgeen.I have Sir Charles's word.

Now he takes from his pocket some notes, putting on his spectacles to read them.

sarah.What's this... a written lecture?

mr. tetgeen.We propose... first: that the present complete severance of conjugal relations shall continue. Secondly: that Lady Cottesham shall be at liberty to remove from South Audley Street and Ringham Castle all personal and private effects, excepting those family jewels which have merely been considered her property. Thirdly: Lady Cottesham shall undertake, formally and in writing not to molest—a legal term—Sir Charles Cottesham.[Her handkerchief has dropped, here he picks it up and restores it to her.]Allow me, my lady.