FREDERIK.  I?  Sell out?  My intention is to carry out every wish of my dear old uncle’s.

JAMES.  I hope so.  I haven’t forgotten that you wanted him to sell out to Hicks of Rochester on the very day he died. [Exit into the office.

CATHERINE comes from WILLIAM’S room, simply dressed in white—­no touch of mourning. FREDERIK goes to the foot of the stairs and calls softly.

FREDERIK.  Kitty!  Here is our marriage license.  I have the cabin on the Imperator.  Everything is arranged.

CATHERINE. [Coming downstairs.] Yes. ...  I meant to speak to you—­again.

FREDERIK.  To-morrow’s the day, dear.

CATHERINE. [Very subdued.] Yes....

FREDERIK.  A June wedding—­just as Uncle Peter wished.

CATHERINE. [As before.] Yes....  Just as he wished.  Everything is just as he.... [With a change of manner—­earnestly—­looking at FREDERIK.] Frederik, I don’t want to go away.  I don’t want to go to Europe.  If only I could stay quietly here in—­[Tears in her voice as she looks round the room.]—­in my dear home.

FREDERIK.  Why do you want to stay in this old cottage—­with its candles and lamps and shadows?  It’s very gloomy, very depressing.

CATHERINE.  I don’t want to leave this house....  I don’t want any home but this. [Panic-stricken.] Don’t take me away Frederik.  I know you’ve never really liked it at Grimm’s Manor.  Are you sure you’ll want to come back to live here?

FREDERIK. [As though speaking to a child.] Of course.  I’ll do anything you ask.

CATHERINE.  I—­I’ve always wanted to please ... [After a slight pause, finding it difficult to speak his name.] Uncle Peter....  I felt that I owed everything to him....  If he had lived ... if I could see his happiness at our marriage—­it would make me happy; [Pathetically.] but he’s gone ... and ...  I’m afraid we’re making a mistake.  I don’t feel towards you as I ought, Frederik.  I’ve told you again and again; but I want to tell you once more:  I’m willing to marry you ... but I don’t love you—­I never shall.

FREDERIK.  How do you know?

CATHERINE.  I know ...  I know....  It seems so disloyal to speak like this after I promised him; but—­

FREDERIK.  Yes, you did promise Uncle Peter you’d marry me, didn’t you?

CATHERINE.  Yes.

FREDERIK.  And he died believing you?

CATHERINE.  Yes.

FREDERIK.  Then it all comes to this:  are you going to live up to your promise?

CATHERINE.  That’s it.  That’s what makes me try to live up to it. [Wiping her eyes.] But you know how I feel....  You understand....

FREDERIK.  Perfectly; you don’t quite know your own mind....  Very few young girls do, I suppose.  I love you and in time you’ll grow to care for me. [MARTA re-enters from WILLIAM’S room and closing the door comes down the stairs and passes off.] What are we to do with that child?