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Act III]
147

men there—and also women. At least, they looked like women. I danced with one of them. She asked me to see her home. Shall I go on?

Richard

Yes.

Robert

I saw her home in a cab. She lives near Donnybrook. In the cab took place what the subtle Duns Scotus calls a death of the spirit. Shall I go on?

Richard

Yes.

Robert

She wept. She told me she was the divorced wife of a barrister. I offered her a sovereign as she told me she was short of money. She would not take it and wept very much. Then she drank some melissa water from a little bottle which she had in her satchel. I saw her enter her house. Then I walked home. In my room I found that my coat was all stained with the melissa water. I had no luck even with my coats yesterday: that was the second one. The idea came to me then to change my suit and go away by the morning boat. I packed my valise and went to bed. I am going away by the next train to my cousin, Jack Justice, in Surrey. Perhaps for a fortnight. Perhaps longer. Are you disgusted?

Richard

Why did you not go by the boat?

Robert

I slept it out.

Richard

You intended to go without saying goodbye—without coming here?