the carpet at her feet]. Aurora: do you remember the evening when
I sat here at your feet and read you those poems for the first
time?

SHE. I shouldn't have let you: I see that now. When I think of
Georgina sitting there at Teddy's feet and reading them to him
for the first time, I feel I shall just go distracted.

HE. Yes, you are right. It will be a profanation.

SHE. Oh, I don't care about the profanation; but what will Teddy
think? what will he do? [Suddenly throwing his head away from her
knee]. You don't seem to think a bit about Teddy. [She jumps up,
more and more agitated].

HE [supine on the floor; for she has thrown him off his balance]
To me Teddy is nothing, and Georgina less than nothing.

SHE. You'll soon find out how much less than nothing she is. If
you think a woman can't do any harm because she's only a
scandalmongering dowdy ragbag, you're greatly mistaken. [She
flounces about the room. He gets up slowly and dusts his hands.
Suddenly she runs to him and throws herself into his arms].
Henry: help me. Find a way out of this for me; and I'll bless you
as long as you live. Oh, how wretched I am! [She sobs on his
breast].

HE. And oh! how happy I am!

SHE [whisking herself abruptly away] Don't be selfish.