(_Bending her head forward on her hand and weeping._) I have been so lonely--and then you--you came, and the world grew bright and warm--a few short minutes ago you held me--in your arms--a few short minutes ago and it seemed my dream of happiness had come true--and now you dash it from me--
{Knox}
(_Struggling to control himself now that she is no longer looking at him._) No; I ask you to dash it from yourself. I am not too strong. You must help me. You must call your child to your aid in helping me. I could go mad for you now--
(_Rising impulsively and coming to her with arms outstretched to clasp her._) Right now--
{Margaret}
(_Abruptly raising her head, and with one outstretched arm preventing the embrace._) Wait.
(_She bows her head on her hand for a moment, to think and to win control of herself._)
(_Lifting her head and looking at him._) Sit down--please.
(_Knox reseats himself._)
(_A pause, during which she looks at him and loves him._) Dear, I do so love you--
(_Knox loses control and starts to rise._) No! Sit there. I was weak. Yet I am not sorry. You are right. We must forego each other. We cannot be thieves, even for love"s sake. Yet I am glad that this has happened--that I have lain in your arms and had your lips on mine. The memory of it will be sweet always.
(_She draws her cloak around her, and rises._)
(_Knox rises._) You are right. The future belongs to the children.
There lies duty--yours, and mine in my small way. I am going now.
We must not see each other ever again. We must work--and forget.
But remember, my heart goes with you into the fight. My prayers will accompany every stroke.
(_She hesitates, pauses, draws her cloak thoroughly around her in evidence of departure._) Dear--will you kiss me--once--one last time? (_There is no pa.s.sion in this kiss, which is the kiss of renunciation. Margaret herself terminates the embrace._)
(_Knox accompanies her silently to the door and places hand on k.n.o.b._) I wish I had something of you to have with me always--a photograph, that little one, you remember, which I liked so. (_She nods._) Don"t run the risk of sending it by messenger. Just mail it ordinarily.
{Margaret}
I shall mail it to-morrow. I"ll drop it in the box myself.
{Knox}
(_Kissing her hand._) Good-bye.
{Margaret}
(_lingeringly._) But oh, my dear, I am glad and proud for what has happened. I would not erase a single line of it.
(_She indicates for Knox to open door, which he does, but which he immediately closes as she continues speaking._) There must be immortality. There must be a future life where you and I shall meet again. Good-bye.
(_They press each other"s hands._)
(_Exit Margaret._)
(_Knox stands a moment, staring at closed door, turns and looks about him indecisively, sees chair in which Margaret sat, goes over to it, kneels down, and buries his face._)
(_Door to bedroom opens slowly and Hubbard peers out cautiously.
He cannot see Knox._)
{Hubbard}
(_Advancing, surprised._) What the deuce? Everybody gone?
{Knox}
(_Startled to his feet._) Where the devil did you come from?
{Hubbard}
(_Indicating bedroom._) In there. I was in there all the time.
{Knox}
(_Endeavoring to pa.s.s it off._) Oh, I had forgotten about you.
Well, my callers are gone.
{Hubbard}
(_Walking over close to him and laughing at him with affected amus.e.m.e.nt._) Honest men are such dubs when they do go wrong.
{Knox}
The door was closed all the time. You would not have dared to spy upon me.
{Hubbard}
There was something familiar about the lady"s voice.
{Knox}
You heard!--what did you hear?
{Hubbard}
Oh, nothing, nothing--a murmur of voices--and the woman"s--I could swear I have heard her voice before.
(_Knox shows his relief._) Well, so long.
(_Starts to move toward exit to right._) You won"t reconsider your decision?
{Knox}