Page:The Return of the Soldier (Van Druten).djvu/37

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ACT I

Kitty : I gather that you and my husband were . . . somewhat intimate fifteen years ago.

Margaret : That’s right. I told you.

Kitty : I assume . . . you were . . . his mistress?

Margaret (struck white) : No! . . . Oh, no! You don’t understand. We were going to be married.

Kitty (horror-struck) : Married??

Margaret : Yes.

Kitty : Married? Chris and you? Oh, no . . . not possible.

Frank : Wait, Kitty, I think I understand. Chris is a man of honour. If he had . . . betrayed this poor girl . . . naturally he would feel bound . . .

Margaret : Oh, please . . . no . . . it wasn’t that. You won’t understand. It isn’t what you think . . . you musn’t think that.

Kitty : Oh, really!

Jenny : Kitty, please!

Margaret : Oh, I know I was beneath him. I knew it then. But he did want me to marry him . . . he did love me. Oh, I don’t want to hurt you, but it’s all so long ago, and you must understand. He was only a boy. It was before he knew you, or I know he could never have thought of me. Oh, but he did love me!

Frank : Have you been in communication with him?

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