There! You see, Mrs Hushabye. I don't want Ellie to live
on resignation.
MRS HUSHABYE. Do you want her to have to resign herself to living
with a man she doesn't love?
MAZZINI [wistfully]. Are you sure that would be worse than living
with a man she did love, if he was a footling person?
MRS HUSHABYE [relaxing her contemptuous attitude, quite
interested in Mazzini now]. You know, I really think you must
love Ellie very much; for you become quite clever when you talk
about her.
MAZZINI. I didn't know I was so very stupid on other subjects.
MRS HUSHABYE. You are, sometimes.
MAZZINI [turning his head away; for his eyes are wet]. I have
learnt a good deal about myself from you, Mrs Hushabye; and I'm
afraid I shall not be the happier for your plain speaking. But if
you thought I needed it to make me think of Ellie's happiness you
were very much mistaken.
MRS HUSHABYE [leaning towards him kindly]. Have I been a beast?
MAZZINI [pulling himself together]. It doesn't matter about me,
Mrs Hushabye. I think you like Ellie; and that is enough for me.
MRS HUSHABYE. I'm beginning to like you a little. I perfectly
loathed you at first. I thought you the most odious,
self-satisfied, boresome elderly prig I ever met.
MAZZINI [resigned, and now quite cheerful].
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