Warland. Confoundedly oppressive. What a dog's life it is! My poor Isabel--
Isabel. Don't pity me. I didn't marry yon for a home.
Warland (after a pause). What did you marry me for, if you cared for Oberville? (Another pause.) Eh?
Isabel. Don't make me regret my confidence.
Warland. I beg your pardon.
Isabel. Oh, it was only a subterfuge to conceal the fact that I have no distinct recollection of my reasons. The fact is, a girl's motives in marrying are like a passport--apt to get mislaid. One is so seldom asked for either. But mine certainly couldn't have been mercenary: I never heard a mother praise you to her daughters.
Warland. No, I never was much of a match.
Isabel. You impugn my judgment.
Warland. If I only had a head for business, now, I might have done something by this time. But I'd sooner break stones in the road.
Isabel. It must be very hard to get an opening in that profession. So many of my friends have aspired to it, and yet I never knew any one who actually did it.
Warland. If I could only get the secretaryship. How that kind of life would suit you! It's as much for you that I want it--
Isabel. And almost as much for the butcher. Don't belittle the circle of your benevolence. (She walks across the room.) Three o'clock already-- and Marian asked me to give orders about the carriages. Let me see--Mr. Oberville is the first arrival; if you'll ring I will send word to the stable. I suppose you'll stay now?
Warland. Stay?
Isabel. Not go to Washington. I thought you spoke as if he could help you.
Warland. He could settle the whole thing in five minutes. The President can't refuse him anything. But he doesn't know me; he may have a candidate of his own. It's a pity you haven't seen him for so long--and yet I don't know; perhaps it's just as well. The others don't arrive till seven? It seems as if--How long is he going to be here? Till to-morrow night, I suppose? I wonder what he's come for. The Merringtons will bore him to death, and Adelaide, of course, will be philandering with Lender. I wonder (. pause. if Darley likes boating. (Rings the bell.)
Isabel. Boating?
Warland. Oh, I was only thinking--Where are the matches? One may smoke here, I suppose? (He looks at his wife.) If I were you I'd put on that black gown of yours to-night--the one with the spangles.--It's only that Fred Langham asked me to go over to Narragansett in his launch to-morrow morning, and I was thinking that I might take Darley; I always liked Darley.
