HARVEY. [Desperately.] I don’t know—­but I can’t let her go—­I tell you
I can’t!

MRS. WESTERN. [Scarcely able to conceal her disgust.] Oh, if you knew how painful it is to hear you whining like this!  It’s pitiable, really!  In the girl’s own interest—­how can she stop?

HARVEY.  She must.  I can’t let her be turned out.  It would break her heart.

MRS. WESTERN. [Turning right round, and staring at him.] What?

HARVEY. [Doggedly.] Yes—­it would.  She’s very fond of me, that’s the truth.  I know that I’ve been to blame—­but it’s too late for that now.  She’s romantic, of course—­what you’d call sentimental.  I dare say I’ve played on her feelings—­she saw I was lonely.  She has a side that you’ve never suspected—­a tender, sensitive side—­she has ideals....  Well, do you realise what it would mean, with a girl like that?  No one knows her as I do.  I’m quite startled sometimes, to find how fond she is of me.  Oh, have some sympathy!  It’s difficult, I know—­it’s terribly difficult.  But she loves me—­that’s the truth—­and a young girl’s love—­why, she might throw herself into the river!  Oh yes, you smile—­but she might!  What do you know of life, with your Blue-books?  Anyhow, I daren’t risk it.  By-and-by—­there’s no hurry, is there?  And I put it to you—­be merciful!  You’re not the ordinary woman—­you have a brain—­you’re not conventional.  Don’t act like the others.  Don’t drive this girl out of the house.  It would end in tragedy.  Believe it!

MRS. WESTERN.  You can’t really expect me to keep a girl here, as governess to my children, who, as you say, is in love with you.

HARVEY. [Pleading.] I expect you—­I’m asking you—­to help her—­and me.

MRS. WESTERN. [Shaking her head.] That’s too much.  We won’t turn her out to-night—­I’ll give her a reference, and all that—­

HARVEY. [Springing to his feet again.] Alice, I can’t let her go!

MRS. WESTERN. [Conciliatorily.] Ask Tom, ask any one—­

HARVEY. [More and more passionately.] I tell you, I can’t let her go!

MRS. WESTERN.  Be sensible, Harvey—­you must realise yourself there’s no alternative—­

HARVEY. [With a violent and uncontrollable outburst.] I vow and declare to you—­if she goes, I go too!  And the consequences will be on your head!

[MRS. WESTERN has also risen—­they stand face to face, looking at each other—­and for a moment there is silence.  The door opens, and MISS FARREN comes in, dressed as before.  She walks straight to MRS. WESTERN.

MISS FARREN.  Mrs. Western, my things are packed, and on the cab—­

HARVEY. [Wildly.] My poor child, you’re not to go—­I told you.

MISS FARREN. [With a demure glance at him, stopping him as he is moving towards her.] Of course I must—­I can’t stay here—­that’s not possible.  My sister will take me in for to-night.