The Big Drum: A Comedy in Four Acts

by Arthur Wing Pinero

Within a few hours of that fatal visit of mine to your lodgings. [Looking at him significantly.] It was that that drove me to it.

Philip.

[Staring at her.] That——!

Ottoline.

[Simply.] Yes, Phil.

Philip.

Otto!

Ottoline.

[Plucking at the arm of her chair.] You see—you see, notwithstanding the vulgarity of my mind, I had a deep respect for you. Even then there were wholesome signs in me! [Shrugging her shoulders plaintively.] Whether I should have ended by obeying my better instincts, and accepting you, I can't say. I believe I should. I—I believe I should. At any rate, I had already begun to chafe under the consciousness that, while you loved me, you had no esteem for me.

Philip.