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LAURA
(Gazing after him.)

Can it be as Clay says, that he is a man to be shunned. If so, what will become of me? I will take my Brother's advice, I will see him no more.

(Enter MRS. HAWKINS.)

MRS. HAWKINS
(Aside.)

Poor child, I do pity her with all my heart.

(Approaches LAURA.)

LAURA
(With a calm face & smiles.)

Don't be troubled about me, Mother. Colonel Selby will not come to the house any more.

(This next line follows the next "aside" in the original script,
but is aptly inserted here in the production script.)

MRS. HAWKINS
(Embracing her.)

I am so grateful, Laura.

LAURA
(Aside.)

Oh! since I have ventured to enter into one deception in an unguarded hour, how my whole life seems growing into [a chain of falsehoods.] How deftly I have learned to veneer a rugged lie, with the grace and color of truth!

(Enter COL. SELLERS, seedy but in high spirits.)

SELLERS

Morning, Nancy, morning. Ah, Laura! There's style , there's spirit , wouldn't she make a lovely Queen, if you could only find a vacant throne to pop her on.

LAURA

Now Colonel, it isn't kind of you to say such pretty things to an old friend in such a covertly, satirical way.