The standards were different then. (_Rising and going up_ C.
_to_ R.) Besides, it wasn't quite the same, anyhow.
GEORGE (_absently_). No, it wasn't quite the same.
LADY MARDEN (_R. of writing-table_). No. We shall all feel it. Terribly.
GEORGE (_his apology_). If there were any other way! Olivia, what _can_ I
do? It _is_ the only way, isn't it? All that that fellow said--of course,
it sounds very well--but as things are.... (_Crossing towards_ OLIVIA.)
_Is_ there anything in marriage, or isn't there? You believe that there
is, don't you? You aren't one of these Socialists. Well, then, _can_ we
go on living together when you're another man's wife? It isn't only what
people will say, but it _is_ wrong, isn't it?.... And supposing he
doesn't divorce you, are we to go on living together, unmarried, for
_ever_? (LADY MARDEN _turns and listens_.) Olivia, you seem to think that
I'm just thinking of the publicity--what people will say. I'm not. I'm
not. That comes in any way. But I want to do what's right, what's best. I
don't mean what's best for us, what makes us happiest, I mean what's
really best, what's rightest. What anybody else would do in my place.
(OLIVIA _holds out her hands lovingly towards him_.) _I_ don't know. It's
so unfair. You're not my wife at all, but I want to do what's right....
(_Sits foot of table_ L.C.) Oh, Olivia, Olivia, you do understand, don't
you?
(_They have both forgotten_ LADY MARDEN.
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