They don't know that I am in the right, I mean.
TANNER.
Oh, they know it in their hearts, though they think themselves bound to blame you by their silly superstitions about morality and propriety and so forth.
But I know, and the whole world really knows, though it dare not say so, that you were right to follow your instinct; that vitality and bravery are the greatest qualities a woman can have, and motherhood her solemn initiation into womanhood; and that the fact of your not being legally married matters not one scrap either to your own worth or to our real regard for you.
VIOLET. [flushing with indignation] Oh! You think me a wicked woman, like the rest.
You think I have not only been vile, but that I share your abominable opinions.
Miss Ramsden: I have borne your hard words because I knew you would be sorry for them when you found out the truth.
But I won't bear such a horrible insult as to be complimented by Jack on being one of the wretches of whom he approves.
I have kept my marriage a secret for my husband's sake.
But now I claim my right as a married woman not to be insulted.
OCTAVIUS. [raising his head with inexpressible relief] You are married!
VIOLET.
Yes; and I think you might have guessed it.
What business had you all to take it for granted that I had no right to wear my wedding ring?
Not one of you even asked me: I cannot forget that.
TANNER. [in ruins] I am utterly crushed.
I meant well—I apologize—abjectly apologize.
VIOLET.
I hope you will be more careful in future about the things you say.
Of course one does not take them seriously. But they are very disagreeable, and rather in bad taste.
TANNER. [bowing to the storm] I have no defence: I shall know better in future than to take any woman's part.
We have all disgraced ourselves in your eyes, I am afraid, except Ann, SHE befriended you.
For Ann's sake, forgive us.
VIOLET.
Yes: Ann has been very kind; but then Ann knew.
TANNER.
Oh!
MISS RAMSDEN. [stiffly] And who, pray, is the gentleman who does not acknowledge his wife?
VIOLET. [promptly] That is my business, Miss Ramsden, and not yours.
I have my reasons for keeping my marriage a secret for the present.
RAMSDEN.
All I can say is that we are extremely sorry, Violet.
I am shocked to think of how we have treated you.
OCTAVIUS. [awkwardly] I beg your pardon, Violet.
I can say no more.
MISS RAMSDEN. [still loth to surrender] Of course what you say puts a very different complexion on the matter.
All the same, I owe it to myself—
VIOLET. [cutting her short] You owe me an apology, Miss Ramsden: that's what you owe both to yourself and to me.
If you were a married woman you would not like sitting in the housekeeper's room and being treated like a naughty child by young girls and old ladies without any serious duties and responsibilities.
TANNER.
Don't hit us when we're down, Violet.
We seem to have made fools of ourselves; but really it was you who made fools of us.
VIOLET.
It was no business of yours, Jack, in any case.
TANNER.
No business of mine!
Why, Ramsden as good as accused me of being the unknown gentleman.
Ramsden makes a frantic demonstration; but Violet's cool keen anger extinguishes it.
VIOLET.
You!