concealment and subterfuge, freely and honestly, in full honor
and self-respect.

SHE [staring at him] And where shall we go to?

HE. We shall not depart by a hair's breadth from the ordinary
natural current of our lives. We were going to the theatre when
the loss of the poems compelled us to take action at once. We
shall go to the theatre still; but we shall leave your diamonds
here; for we cannot afford diamonds, and do not need them.

SHE [fretfully] I have told you already that I hate diamonds;
only Teddy insists on hanging me all over with them. You need not
preach simplicity to me.

HE. I never thought of doing so, dearest: I know that these
trivialities are nothing to you. What was I saying--oh yes.
Instead of coming back here from the theatre, you will come with
me to my home--now and henceforth our home--and in due course of
time, when you are divorced, we shall go through whatever idle
legal ceremony you may desire. I attach no importance to the
law: my love was not created in me by the law, nor can it be
bound or loosed by it. That is simple enough, and sweet enough,
is it not? [He takes the flower from the table]. Here are flowers
for you: I have the tickets: we will ask your husband to lend us
the carriage to show that there is no malice, no grudge, between
us. Come!

SHE [spiritlessly, taking the flowers without looking at them,
and temporizing] Teddy isn't in yet.