STEVEN.  Not for a man like me.  I’m not worth it. [He rises.] Not deserving it!  There’s only one thing for such as me, and that is to end it all with a bullet.

GEORGIANA.  Now you’re talking wildly!

STEVEN. [In a lowered voice.] No, Georgy, I mean it!  It’s better for all of you to have me out of the way; I tried to do it to-day—­only, I was afraid!

GEORGIANA.  That would be worse than anything you have done yet.  That I would never forgive—­anything but that!

[She goes to him.

STEVEN.  But the shame of my life now, the degradation, the rot of it!

[A moment’s pause.

GEORGIANA. [The idea comes to her.] Steve, I told you I’d trust you again if I had the chance!  Here is the first one, and I take it!  Promise me you’ll never again even think of taking your life.

STEVEN.  What’s the good of my promising?

GEORGIANA.  If you tell me, I’ll believe you.

[A short pause.

[STEVEN, not looking at her, puts his hand in the pocket where the pistol is, then takes his hand away, still not looking at her.

Look me straight in the face, Steve, and say, “I promise.”

[He hesitates only a moment, and then does so.

STEVEN.  I promise.

[He turns a little away from her, takes the pistol from his pocket, and gives it to her.

GEORGIANA. [Bursting into tears.] Oh, Steve!

[She turns away and puts the pistol on the table between the windows.

STEVEN.  Forgive me, Georgy, forgive me!  This promise I’ll keep.  Only forgive me for breaking your heart like this!

COAST. [Entering Right.] I’ve been sent up to bring you down to dinner.

[He takes in the situation.  A pause.

GEORGIANA.  Do you know what Steve has just told me?

STEVEN. [Bitterly.] Yes, he knows.

COAST. Just what?

GEORGIANA.  Steve has gone on speculating, and my money’s followed the rest.

COAST. Yes, I knew that.

GEORGIANA.  Couldn’t you have saved him?

COAST. I offered to once, but you refused.

GEORGIANA.  And now?

[Short pause.

COAST. [He goes to GEORGIANA, who is on the sofa.] My offer is still open to the same tune.

STEVEN.  No, Georgy, no!

GEORGIANA.  For Steve’s own sake, won’t you do something for him?  Get him some position so that he can take care of Louise.  I’ll look after myself.

COAST. I’ll do all and more, if you’ll marry me.

GEORGIANA.  You know I can’t marry you.

COAST. What does Steve say?

STEVEN.  What Georgy says, I say.

COAST. How are you going to get out of this without me?

STEVEN.  I don’t know.

COAST. And there’s something else. [Steps towards STEVEN.] Perhaps you don’t know that unless some one does get you out of this, it won’t be only a money smash-up for Georgiana, but disgrace too!