PHIL. And you have said nothing!
KATE. (_to R. of sofa_) Because you have taught me to love you!
(_PHILIP sinks on sofa_) I want you to be happy--I want to be happy myself--and if I wreck your happiness, I shall destroy my own. All I ask is to go--let me go! let me go! (_goes to SIR PETER who rises and checks her, and then sits again_)
PHIL. It is for me to go. This place belongs to you.
BEA. (L.C.) To her? (_front of table_)
PHIL. Yes, all I have is hers. (_turning to BEATRICE_) Beatrice, my father was not married to my mother legally--he was married before--Kate is his lawful child--the money he left me was her mother"s--and to her it must be restored, to the last shilling.
SIR P. (_rises_) Nonsense! this is quixotic!
PHIL. (_peremptorily_) I know what my duty is, and it shall be done.
(_to BEATRICE_) Am I not right?
BEA. (_humbly_) Yes, Philip.
PHIL. (_goes to KATE, C., takes her hand and puts arm round her; to KATE_) You have battled with the world long enough. Now it is _my_ turn. Till to-day I have been living in a fool"s paradise, but now I have awaken from my dream. I am not afraid, because I am not alone.
(_goes slowly to BEATRICE and takes her hand_) Many things have been taken from me. My fortune, my good name, my father"s memory--all these are gone! but you are left to me. I have a wife to work for, whose love will sustain me; who will share my trials as she has shared my prosperity. (_goes towards KATE_) Don"t fear for me. I will fight and I will conquer. (_dropping exhausted_) Ah, if I were only stronger!
(_on sofa; BEATRICE goes to fire, L._)
SIR P. (_goes to KATE who is R. of sofa; to KATE who is about to speak_) You have said enough. Remember, your brother is an invalid.
(_goes to R.C._)
PHIL. But I _won"t_ be an invalid--I"ll make my will to-day.
BEA. _Another_ will? (_at fire_)
PHIL. Leaving Kate everything.
KATE. (_to back of sofa, R. of PHILIP_) Philip! I _must_ speak, for our sister"s sake. If you have no thought for yourself, have some for her.
PHIL. Mildred is provided for already. I cannot deal with _her_ money; but I can with my own.
KATE. It is not a question of money. Remember, if this secret is made known----
PHIL. Ah!
KATE. What will be said of her?
PHIL. That never crossed my thoughts.
KATE. (_goes down a few steps, C._) Think of it now. It is not too late.
PHIL. Oh! (_pressing his hands to his temples_) What am I to do?
KATE. (_to R. of sofa, below it and kneels_) Do what is best for everyone. Accept a favour from a sister who asks you--on her knees!
Keep our secret! Remain here--the master of Ravenhurst. Philip! For Mildred"s sake.
PHIL. (_opening his arms_) Kate! may G.o.d bless you!
KATE. Brother! (_falling into his arms. BEATRICE stands with her head bowed submissively_)
SIR P. (_comes to KATE who rises, he takes her away R.C. a few steps_) There, that"s settled. Now, let my patient have a little rest.
PHIL. (_to KATE, who moves away_) You won"t go far? You won"t leave Ravenhurst?
SIR P. (_prompting KATE_) No.
KATE. No.
PHIL. You will stay here--under this roof?
SIR P. (_prompting_) Yes.
KATE. If I am welcome--for the present--yes.
PHIL. And for the future?
BEA. (_crosses to C._) Yes. Your sister will be always welcome here.
(_takes KATE"S hand. KATE bows to her and exit R.I.D. BEATRICE turns to PHILIP caressingly_)
SIR P. (_following--aside_) d.a.m.n"d good actress, that woman! (_exit R._)
PHIL. How can I thank you, Beatrice? How can I tell you bow proud I am of you, and how I love you? (_holding both her hands, draws her down by his side_) Oh, my darling wife, how can I soften this blow which has fallen upon you? (_embracing her_)
BEA. Philip, don"t think of _me._
PHIL. (_R. arm round her_) But I _must_ think of you, who never think of yourself. If I were to die? (_L. hand holding hers_)
BEA. Dearest, don"t talk of death. (_withdraws hand_)
PHIL. (_takes his arm from her, and leans forward_) I am more ill than I seem--more ill than anybody knows. I can"t help thinking of death, for every day it seems to draw nearer and nearer. I can feel it coming--slowly, mysteriously, weirdly--gathering about me--wrapping me round and round. (_almost to himself_)
BEA. (_rises_) Hush, Philip, hush! You are tired. (_goes away two steps to C._) Shall I leave you for a while?
PHIL. No, no! Don"t go away. (_holding out his hands as she moves up to back of sofa, R. of him_) You are all I have left, mousey. I am not tired; but oh, I feel so drowsy! I seem to get worse every day.
BEA. And why, my dear? Because you won"t take your medicine. Come. Let me bring it you now. (_goes towards L.D._)
PHIL. That beastly medicine! Perhaps I"d better take it; but I shall have no head to talk to old Merivale, when he comes.
BEA. You"ve sent for him? (_behind chair back of table_)
PHIL. I expect him every minute.
BEA. Then, there"s no time to be lost. I"ll bring it you at once.
(_goes L._)