won't let your hands lie on the rope for me any more?

Marion. I am very fond of you, Douglas, and I always was, but— [She hesitates.

Douglas. [A little bitterly, disappointed.] I know what you mean. I was all right for dancing-school, but life is a more serious matter— [Marion goes to chair and sits down.] I know I'm not like you, Marion—I know what an intellectual woman you are, and what an ordinary sort of fellow I am. But I love you! and I hoped— [He breaks off and continues with his first idea.] You went to a woman's college, and I only to a man's—You made a study of sociology—I, [Smiling.] principally of athletics. I know I never read books, and you seem to read everything. But I love you. You have your clubs for working girls, your charities; I know the busy, helpful life you lead. You have so much in it, I was in hopes that what room was left for a husband was so little, even I could fill it. And somehow or other I've always taken it for granted you more or less understood, and were—willing.

Marion. I was—once—

Douglas. You were?

Marion. There was no one in the world I liked so much to be with as you, and I think I, too, believed my happiness was in your hands, and that some day we would decide together it was so. But I lately— [She hesitates.

Douglas. Some one else?

Marion. I don't like you one bit less, Douglas, only— [Rises.

Douglas. Only you liked some one else more! I was afraid so. I've heard whispers and guesses—

Marion. Don't let it make any difference with us, Douglas!

Douglas. You love him?

Marion. Yes.

Douglas. Very much?

Marion. You see, every one is against him, and I feel that I have a chance to save him.

Douglas. You believe in him?

Marion. [Shortly.] Yes.

Douglas. Would you believe anything against him?

Marion. [On the defensive, indignant.] No!

Douglas. If some one told you of something dishonourable this man had done?

Marion. I would suspect the motive of the person who told me. Do you think I haven't heard plenty of gossip against him? Every girl I know has done her best to take away his character, and begged me to introduce him to her in the same breath.

Douglas. And if I spoke against him?

Marion. [Leaning on back of chair.] I know I couldn't help it, after what you have told me; I should have to feel you might be influenced by jealousy.

Douglas. To unjustly accuse a man?

Marion. Oh, Douglas, no, of course you would believe what you said, but I wouldn't trust your judgment. Don't I know every one is down on him. Even you men; are all the men in New York so proud of their past lives—not to mention the present of several I know?—Well, if men turn a cold shoulder, then we women must give him our hands.

Douglas. You girls don't understand.

Marion. Oh, girls understand a good deal nowadays. Society and some of the newspapers attend to that. He doesn't pretend to be a saint to me—I find him perfectly frank—and I am afraid he has been rather fast! But I don't believe he is capable of an outright dishonourable action, and nothing would make me believe it!

Douglas. No proof?

Marion. Only the proof of my own eyes. When I see him do something contemptible, then I'll believe half the stories I hear of him! [Moving a little up centre.

Douglas. I see you do love him.

Marion. I do, though you are the only person I have confessed it to,—not even to him—and forgive me, [Down a little.] but I never liked you less than I do now when you have spoken against him. [Up to arch.

Douglas. [Following her.] No, tell me you will forget it, and keep me the same old friend, and I'll promise not to speak against him to you again.

Marion. [Smiling.] Very well— [They shake hands.] Why, I want you two to be the best of friends—you must be—

Douglas. [Also smiling.] Oh, I don't promise that—I haven't given you up yet, and I sha'n't until—

Marion. [Smiling.] When—?

Douglas. [Smiling.] Until I see you going into the church to be married.

Marion. You'll say nothing more against Ned?

Douglas. Not to you. [Moving down, right centre.

Marion. Oh, but you will to others? [Follows.

Douglas. I will say what I have to say to—him.

Marion. To him?