ETHEL.  You’ll find her some day—­you’ll find some one to fulfil that vision—­and I shall think of you in your old house among the beech-trees.  I shall think of you often with her, listening to her voice in the twilight.  And I shall be far away from that sensible, kindly life—­keeping the promise that I have made [falters], and living out—­my destiny.

PIKE [gravely].  What destiny?

ETHEL.  I am bound to Almeric in his misfortune, I am bound to him by his misfortune.

[She goes on with a sorrowful eagerness.]

He has to bear a name that will be a by-word of disgrace, and it is my duty to help him bear it, to help him make it honorable again; to inspire him in the struggle that lies before him to rise above it by his own efforts, to make a career for himself; to make the world forget the disgrace of his father in his own triumphs—­in the product of his own work—­

PIKE [aghast].  Work!

ETHEL.  Oh, I am all American to-day.  No matter how humbly he begins, it will be a beginning, and no matter what it costs me I must be by his side helping him, with all my energy and strength.  Can you challenge that?  Isn’t it true?

PIKE.  I can’t deny it—­that’s what any good and brave woman ought to feel.

ETHEL.  And since it has to be done, it must be done at once.  I haven’t seen Almeric since last night; I must see him now.

PIKE [grimly].  He’s not here just now.

[HORACE enters; stands in the doorway unobserved, listening.]

ETHEL.  I’ve shirked facing him to-day.  He has always been so light and gay, I have dreaded to see him bending under this blow, shamed and overcome.  Now it is my duty to see him, to show him how he can hold up his head in spite of it!

PIKE.  I agree, it’s your duty—­

ETHEL [eagerly, but tremulously].  That means that you—­as my guardian—­think I am right?

PIKE.  I agree to it, I said.

ETHEL [excited].  Then that must mean that you consent—­

PIKE.  It does—­I give my consent to your marriage.

ETHEL [shocked and frightened].  You do?

PIKE.  I place it in your hands.

HORACE [vehemently interrupting].  I protest against this.  She’s talking like a romantic schoolgirl.  And I for one won’t bear it—­and I won’t allow it!

ETHEL.  Too late—­he’s consented.

[With a half-choked, sudden sob she runs into the hotel.]

HORACE [turning furiously on PIKE].  I tell you I shall not permit her to throw herself away!

PIKE.  Look here, who’s the guardian of this girl?

HORACE.  A magnificent guardian you are!  You came here to protect her from something you thought rotten; now we all know it’s rotten, you hand her over!

[Turns with a short, bitter laugh, walks up stage, then comes back.]

By Jove!  I shouldn’t be surprised if you consent to the settlement, too!