you knew how I hate myself for all I've done, and for the pain and trouble I cause you now!

[Maggie, her sharp features set tense, appears in the doorway on the left behind the curtains and listens.

Ruth. Never mind, we won't think of that any more.

Geoffrey. I can never throw it off, not for a minute! I'm a worthless fellow and how can you love me—

Ruth. [Interrupting him.] I do! You are worth everything to me, and you will be worth much to the world yet!

Geoffrey. I love you, Ruth—that's the one claim I can make to deserve you. But it's helped me to give up all the beastly pleasures I used to indulge in!

Ruth. [Softly.] Geof!

Geoffrey. Which I used to think the only things worth living for, and which now, thanks to you, I loathe,—every one of them.

Ruth. I'm so glad! I've been some help, then.

Geoffrey. If I'd only got you earlier, I'd have been a different man, Ruth!

Ruth. [Smiling and taking his nervous hand in hers.] Then I mightn't have fallen in love with you if you were a different man!

Geoffrey. Dear girl! Anyway, this is the good news that I want to tell you—I hope now to have things settled in a couple of weeks.

Ruth. [In glad relief.] Geoffrey!

Geoffrey. But—I mayn't be successful; it might be, Ruth—it might be, we would have to wait—for years—

Ruth. [Quietly.] I don't think I could bear that! It's not easy for me to lie and deceive as I've had to the last few months; I don't think I could keep it up.

[Peter Cullingham enters suddenly, from the ballroom, a pale young man, but, unlike Geoffrey, hard and virile.

Peter. Oh, here you are! I say, are you two spoony? Just the way I feel! [Laughing.] I caught and hugged old Mrs. Parmby just now! I think it's sort of in the air at weddings, don't you?

Geoffrey. [Rising.] I'm surprised to see you've left the refreshment table, Peter.

Peter. They sent me to find Miss Chester—they're going to cut the bridesmaid's cake, and if you two really are spoony, Miss Chester, you'd better not miss it—you might get the ring!

[They laugh as Peter takes out a bottle from which he takes a round, black tablet which he puts in his mouth.

Ruth. [Also rising.] I'd better go.

[Peter is making frantic efforts to swallow the tablet.

Geoffrey. [Noticing him.] What's the matter with you?

Peter. O dear! I've eaten so many ices and fancy cakes, I've got awful indigestion, and I'm trying to swallow a charcoal tablet.

Ruth. Come with me and get a glass of water.

Peter. No, it's very bad to drink water with your meals; but I'll get a piece of bridesmaid's cake—that'll push it down!

[Peter and Ruth go out through the double doors.

[The moment they are out of the room, Maggie comes from behind the curtain and goes straight up to Geoffrey. He looks astonished and frightened.

Geoffrey. What do you want? Have you been listening?

Maggie. So that's it, is it? You want to marry her when you can get rid of me.

Geoffrey. [With relief.] What do you mean?

Maggie. Oh, I may not have heard everything, but I heard and saw enough to catch on that you're in love with Miss Chester.

Geoffrey. Well?

Maggie. Well, you won't marry her—I'll never set you free.

Geoffrey. Sh!

[Looking about and closing the doors.

Maggie. Oh, they're all in the dining room.

Geoffrey. [Angry.] What do you want, anyway?

Maggie. [She pleads a little.] When I came here to your house and got a position, it was because I loved you, if you had treated me bad, and I hoped by seeing you again, and being near you, you might come back to me and everything be made straight!

Geoffrey. Never! Never! It's impossible.

Maggie. [Angry again.] Oh, is it! Well, the dirty little money you give me now only holds my tongue quiet so long's you behave yourself and don't run after any other girls! But the minute you try to throw me down, I'll come out with the whole story.

Geoffrey. I was drunk when I married you!

Maggie. More shame to you!

Geoffrey. You're right. But I was only twenty—and you—led me on—

Maggie. [Interrupting him.] Me! led you on! me, as decent and nice a girl as there was in New Haven if I do do housework, and that's my wedding ring and you put it there, and mother's got the certificate locked up good and safe in her box with my dead baby sister's hair and the silver plate off my father's coffin!

Geoffrey. We mustn't talk here any more!

Maggie. You look out! If I wasn't so fond of your sister Miss Jinny, and if the old people weren't so good to me, I'd just show you right up here—now!

Geoffrey. I'll buy you off if I can't divorce you!

Maggie. You! Poof!

[Girls' voices are heard from the ballroom.

Geoffrey. Look out—some one's coming!

Maggie. [Going.] You haven't got a red cent; my cheque's always one of your father's!

[She goes out Right.

Geoffrey. Good God! what am I going to do—shoot myself, if I don't get out of this soon—I must get some air!

[He goes out Left.

[Jinny opens the