GEORGIANA.  That can’t be true!  I shall say my brother had control of my money to do what he liked with it.

COAST. But any lawyer would take up the case of criminal mismanagement for my aunt and cousin’s affairs.

GEORGIANA.  But they wouldn’t allow it.

COAST. Well, what do you think?

STEVEN.  Louise—­never!

COAST. Leave it to me!

STEVEN.  Ah! your true colors!  You heard him, Georgy?

COAST. Well, let that pass.  But you know that you’ve overdrawn at your bank, that you’ve overdrawn at your brokers, and that you can no more get out of the muddle you’ve got yourself into without one of the biggest public scandals there’s been in the street for years!

GEORGIANA.  But you can spare us that?

STEVEN. [Very low.] Good God!

[He moves away.

COAST. [To GEORGIANA.] That’s what I can.

GEORGIANA.  And you love me?

COAST. I certainly do!

GEORGIANA.  Then you will spare us!

COAST. If you’ll marry me.

STEVEN.  No! [Comes down to her.] Georgy, you mustn’t! [COAST walks away.] Don’t you see what a selfish brute Sam is?  Of course it was my fault that I gambled, but he tempted me, he led me into it when he knew I couldn’t resist.  The very day and hour I gave you my promise, he gave me a tip and guaranteed I shouldn’t lose!

GEORGIANA.  Sam!  Oh!

[She turns to the bench before her dressing table and sinks upon it.

COAST. [Speaks to her across the table.] It’s true!  And I led him to speculate more, I tricked him first with winning and then let him go!  I knew he’d soon do for himself alone, and he did!  Yes—­I ruined him purposely and you through him, so as to get you to be my wife.  I did it purposely and I’d do it again!  Of course I meant all along to make it up in the end when I’d got you.

GEORGIANA.  And did you really think you could get me that way?

COAST. Why, you’ve got to marry me.  You needn’t be afraid of what I won’t do for you.  I love you, you know that.  Everything—­I’ve told you that before.  You shall have everything on God’s earth you want, and Louise and her mother shall live in style as they always have, and Steve have his own money back, with a brother-in-law to help him take care of it!  And what’s the other side of the picture?  Nothing for you or Louise or anybody—­and disgrace for Steve into the bargain.  Why, you’ve got to marry me! [GEORGIANA rises, COAST follows her.] Don’t you see?  Anyway [Smiling.] it was only a trick to make you, because, Georgy, I love you so! [A pause; she stands looking at him.] Well?

GEORGIANA.  I’m trying to realize—­to understand it all.

[MOLES enters Left.

MOLES.  Please, miss, Mrs. Carley says your soup is all cold and they’re on with the fish.