John.
Oh, Mrs. Cloys——!
Mrs. Cloys.
[Sitting.] Yes, I admit that I came here to-night to ask you to pledge your word to us that Theo should run no further risk from her—her acquaintanceship with you; to entreat you, if she should be so base, so abandoned——
John.
You mean you thought it possible, probable, that this lady had run away from her husband and friends with the deliberate intention of joining me—me! [Mrs. Cloys covers her eyes with her handkerchief.] Great Heaven, I suppose there is no living soul who will believe in an honest friendship between a young man and a young woman!
Mrs. Cloys.
There are certain rules for the conduct of friendship, Mr. Allingham——
John.
[Excitedly.] Rules! The world is getting choked with rules for the conduct of everything and every body! What’s the matter with the world that a woman has to lose her character and paint her face before she is entitled to tell a man her troubles, and hear his in return, across a dying fire, by lamplight, when the streets are still and a few words of sympathy and encouragement stir one like a sudden peal of bells——?