DEB. I’m not blind. (Goes c.) Allen is. But that is not all. These things might be explained by themselves—suspicious though they are—but just now, going downstairs, I picked up a purse. (Pausing and looking at Clara, who, however, makes no sign.) It is your purse. (Throws it into Clara’s lap.) I opened it to see whom it belonged to—and inside it is a wedding ring. Is your name Dexter or Cranbourne?
CLARA. (Rising.) I really must decline to answer any questions of yours. You are so exceedingly rude. (Crosses up behind table R.c.)
DEB. You need not answer me. Answer Allen. Tell him that you will be his wife—or that you cannot. (Clara takes no notice.) Do you refuse? (Crossing l.)
CLARA. I refuse to be dictated to.
DEB. Then I shall communicate my suspicions to Allen.
CLARA. (Turning fiercely.) Do so. Tell him—(walks round table to back of Deb. c.)—that you believe that I am the wife of another man, and am playing a shameful part with him merely to sponge on him. That I am fondling him with the one hand only the better to pick his pocket with the other. Tell him that you believe he is surrounded by a gang of adventurers and thieves, of which I am the willing decoy. Tell him your suspicions, and I will tell him that they are the poisonous concoctions of a jealous woman—of a woman who loves him herself—(laughs)—and seeks to win him from her more favored rival, by lies and trickery. (Goes dozen r.)
DEB. (Quietly.) You shall answer him for all that, or he shall know the reason why you dare not. (Crosses L., and calls.) Allen! Allen!
(Enter Allen l. up stage).
DEB. (l. c.) Allen, is Miss Dexter engaged to be married to you or not?
ALLEN. (l.) Well. (Laughs.) Blest if I could tell ‘ee that, Deb. That be the very thing I ha’ been trying to find out myself. Bain’t it, Clara? Only her be such a tease. (All said laughingly.)