THE BISHOP [rising and facing her, breathless] Mrs. Collins! YOU
are Incognita Appassionata!
MRS GEORGE. You read my letters, then? [With a sigh of grateful
relief, she sits down quietly, and says] Thank you.
THE BISHOP [remorsefully] And I have broken the spell by making
you come here [sitting down again]. Can you ever forgive me?
MRS GEORGE. You couldnt know that it was only the coal merchant's
wife, could you?
THE BISHOP. Why do you say only the coal merchant's wife?
MRS GEORGE. Many people would laugh at it.
THE BISHOP. Poor people! It's so hard to know the right place to
laugh, isnt it?
MRS GEORGE. I didnt mean to make you think the letters were from
a fine lady. I wrote on cheap paper; and I never could spell.
THE BISHOP. Neither could I. So that told me nothing.
MRS GEORGE. One thing I should like you to know.
THE BISHOP. Yes?
MRS GEORGE. We didnt cheat your friend. They were as good as we
could do at thirteen shillings a ton.
THE BISHOP. Thats important. Thank you for telling me.
MRS GEORGE. I have something else to say; but will you please ask
somebody to come and stay here while we talk? [He rises and turns
to the study door]. Not a woman, if you dont mind.
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