MARGOT (with indignation): "Perhaps I hope he cares too much for you."
THE LADY (not listening and getting up excitedly): "What do you know about love? I have had a hundred lovers, but Peter Flower is the only man I have ever really cared for; and my life is at an end if you will not give him up."
MARGOT: "There is no question of my giving him up; he is free, I tell you …"
THE LADY: "I tell you he is not! He doesn't consider himself free, he said as much to me this afternoon … when he wanted to break it all off."
MARGOT: "What do you wish me to do then? …"
THE LADY: "Tell Peter you don't love him in the right way, that you don't intend to marry him; and then leave him alone."
MARGOT: "Do you mean I am to leave him to you? … Do you love him in the right way?"
THE LADY: "Don't ask stupid questions . … I shall kill myself if he gives me up."
After this, I felt there was nothing more to be said. I told her that Peter had a perfect right to do what he liked and that I had neither the will nor the power to influence his decision; that I was going abroad with my sister Lucy to Italy and would in any case not see him for several weeks; but I added that all my influence over him for years had been directed into making him the right sort of man to marry and that all hers would of necessity lie in the opposite direction. Not knowing quite how to say good- bye, I began to finger my cloak; seeing my intention, she said:
"Just wait one moment, will you? I want to know if you are as good as Peter always tells me you are; don't answer till I see your eyes …"