. .
OLIVIA (seeing that the sentence is rapidly going to pieces). Yes, I
understand.
PIM. I blame myself, I blame myself entirely.
OLIVIA. Oh, you mustn't do that, Mr. Pim. It was really Dinah's fault
for inflicting all our family history on you.
PIM. Oh, but a charming young woman. I assure you I was very
much interested in all that she told me. (Getting up) Well,
Mrs.--er--Marden, I can only hope that you will forgive me for the
needless distress I have caused you to-day.
OLIVIA. Oh, you mustn't worry about that--please.
PIM. And you will tell your husband--you will break the news to him?
OLIVIA (smiling to herself). I will--break the news to him.
PIM. You understand how it is that I thought it better to come to you
in the first place?
OLIVIA. I am very glad you did.
PIM (holding out his hand). Then I will say good-bye, and--er--
OLIVIA. Just a moment, Mr. Pim. Let us have it quite clear this time.
You never knew my husband, Jacob Telworthy, you never met him in
Australia, you never saw him on the boat, and nothing whatever
happened to him at Marseilles. Is that right?
PIM. Yes, yes, that is so.
OLIVIA. So that, since he was supposed to have died in Australia six
years ago, he is presumably still dead?
PIM.
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