MISS RAMSDEN.
What is the use of saying no, Roebuck?
Octavius knows that I would not turn any truly contrite and repentant woman from your doors.
But when a woman is not only wicked, but intends to go on being wicked, she and I part company.
ANN.
Oh, Miss Ramsden, what do you mean?
What has Violet said?
RAMSDEN.
Violet is certainly very obstinate.
She won't leave London.
I don't understand her.
MISS RAMSDEN.
I do.
It's as plain as the nose on your face, Roebuck, that she won't go because she doesn't want to be separated from this man, whoever he is.
ANN.
Oh, surely, surely!
Octavius: did you speak to her?
OCTAVIUS.
She won't tell us anything.
She won't make any arrangement until she has consulted somebody.
It can't be anybody else than the scoundrel who has betrayed her.
TANNER. [to Octavius] Well, let her consult him.
He will be glad enough to have her sent abroad.
Where is the difficulty?
MISS RAMSDEN. [Taking the answer out of Octavius's mouth].
The difficulty, Mr Jack, is that when he offered to help her I didn't offer to become her accomplice in her wickedness.
She either pledges her word never to see that man again, or else she finds some new friends; and the sooner the better.
[The parlormaid appears at the door.
Ann hastily resumes her seat, and looks as unconcerned as possible.
Octavius instinctively imitates her].
THE MAID.
The cab is at the door, ma'am.
MISS RAMSDEN.
What cab?
THE MAID.
For Miss Robinson.
MISS RAMSDEN.
Oh! [Recovering herself] All right. [The maid withdraws].
She has sent for a cab.
TANNER.
I wanted to send for that cab half an hour ago.
MISS RAMSDEN.
I am glad she understands the position she has placed herself in.
RAMSDEN.
I don't like her going away in this fashion, Susan.
We had better not do anything harsh.
OCTAVIUS.
No: thank you again and again; but Miss Ramsden is quite right. Violet cannot expect to stay.
ANN.
Hadn't you better go with her, Tavy?