WARDEN. [_Interrupts strongly._] Don't say any more, please, _Miss G.o.desby_! I only wish your brother had said that much instead of you.

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_Disagreeably._] So you're in love with Blanche Sterling?

WARDEN. No!

MISS G.o.dESBY. Oh, come, don't tell a lie about it; that will only make it seem worse.

WARDEN. Well, suppose I were in love with her--what of it?

MISS G.o.dESBY. Nothing; only, my dear Warden, that woman--

WARDEN. [_Interrupts._] Wait a minute! You've got me in a corner, but knowing half the truth, you mustn't _guess_ the whole. She is even more ignorant of my love for her than you were ten minutes ago! [MISS G.o.dESBY _smiles and makes a little satirical exclamation._] You don't believe that, but I'll _make_ you. I'm going to tell _you_ something I've never even told myself. I'm going to put you to a big test, because I've got to. Apparently, I can't help myself; but after all, somehow I believe in the human nature in you, and you've got it in your power to help or hurt the woman I love--I say those words aloud for the first time--the woman I love!

[_He has finished his speech in a lowered tone throbbing with controlled feeling._

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_Incredulously._] You've never told her?

WARDEN. Never; and you show how little you really know her when you ask that question! She loves her husband.

MISS G.o.dESBY. I'm not so sure about that!

WARDEN. I am, and I _love her_. But surely the silent love of a man, like mine, is no insult to a good woman--cannot harm her! A love that is never spoken, not even whispered, can't hurt any one, except, perhaps, the one who loves. You must acknowledge even _you_ have never heard a hint; you _showed_ just now your real surprise at what circ.u.mstances revealed to you! I'd die sooner than bring the slightest shadow of a scandal on her, and I've hugged my secret tight. Have you any idea what such a love means? How it grows and grows, its strength shut in, held back, doubling and redoubling its powers!--its ideality increasing, the pa.s.sion _suppressed_, locked up! Good G.o.d! I tremble sometimes when I think--suppose some day it should burst out, _break_ my control, MASTER ME! [_A pause._] And here, now, I've told _you_; I'm sorry, but I had to for _her_ sake again. Will you help me keep my secret?

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_After a second's pause._] Yes, because I believe you.

WARDEN. And Mrs. Sterling?

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_Slowly, with sincere meaning._] I envy her!

[_Her voice breaks and she turns away from him._

WARDEN. No one is to know I indorse Sterling's note?

MISS G.o.dESBY. You needn't sign the note; my brother'd have to see it.

I'll take your word for the indors.e.m.e.nt.

[_She offers him her hand. They shake hands._

WARDEN. What a brick you are! You know you don't do yourself anything like justice in the world!

[G.o.dESBY _reenters Left and after him a_ MAN SERVANT _in ordinary clothes, who pa.s.ses through the archway at back Centre._

G.o.dESBY. Ready!

WARDEN. [_Aside to her._] You can promise his silence about Sterling?

MISS G.o.dESBY. Oh, yes, he's absolutely dependent upon me.

WARDEN. Thank you.

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_To_ NED _with a forced gaiety._] Good-by!

WARDEN. [_Again shaking her hand_] Good-by.

[_He looks his thanks at her._

G.o.dESBY. Well? What did you do?

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_As they go._] Don't worry; I've taken care of myself for many years, and I still feel up to it!

[_They go out Left and at the same time the_ SERVANT _enters from the archway at back Centre carrying some fire logs in his arms. This_ SERVANT _speaks with a slight French accent. As he reaches the house,_ WARDEN _stops him with a question, and the_ G.o.dESBYS' _sleigh-bells start up and quickly die away. The sun begins to set._

WARDEN Have you an empty sitting room?

SERVANT. Yes, sair.

WARDEN Warm?

SERVANT. I will soon arrange a fire.

WARDEN I wish you would, please.

SERVANT. Ze big room for ze breakfast is altogether ready and warm; you will be able to go in there now.

WARDEN. No, that wouldn't do. It's all right out here for _me_, only I am expecting a lady.

[_Sleigh-bells are heard in the distance, coming quickly nearer._

SERVANT. Yes, sair.

WARDEN. I hear a sleigh coming. If a lady is in it, ask if her name is Mrs. Sterling, and if she says yes, tell her Mr. Warden is here and would like to speak with her a moment before she goes in to Mrs.--

[_He hesitates a second._

SERVANT. Trottair?

WARDEN. Yes.

SERVANT. Yes, sair.

[_He goes into the house._

[_The sun grows red, and the colors of sunset creep over the sky during the scene which follows. After a moment the_ SERVANT _shows_ BLANCHE _out from the house._

BLANCHE. [_Surprised and depressed._] Good morning, Mr. Warden, have you been asked to these funeral baked meats?

WARDEN. No, I'll explain why I am here in a few minutes. Only let me ask you first when you last saw your husband?