[A deep-toned clock strikes eleven. STERLING, at the second stroke, takes out his watch with a hurried movement.

WARDEN. [Quickly.] Eleven o’clock.

STERLING.  I wish Warden to leave the room.

BLANCHE. [Firmly.] And I wish him to stay.

[A short pause.

STERLING.  Well, of what am I accused?

WARDEN.  Nobody wants to accuse you.  We want you to make a clean breast of it.

STERLING.  Don’t you talk to me; let my wife do the talking if you want me to answer.

BLANCHE.  Sit down, Aunt Ruth. [RUTH sits by the table, WARDEN stands at back. STERLING stands at Right and BLANCHE and MASON sit near the centre.] Aunt Ruth asks you to give her a true account of her trust in you.  Mr. Mason is here as her friend and my father’s.

STERLING.  I haven’t said I betrayed her trust.  I told her she should have the bonds she wants to-morrow.

BLANCHE.  But will she?  That’s what I want to know.  I ask you if you haven’t her bonds, to tell us here now,—­tell us, who have been and must be still the best friends, perhaps the only friends, you can have.  Tell us where we all stand—­are we the only ones to suffer or are there others who will perhaps be less generous in their treatment of you?  Tell us now while there is time perhaps to save us from public scandal, from the disgrace which would stamp your wife as the wife of a thief, and send your boy out into the world the son of a convict cheat. [She breaks down, but in a moment controls herself.  There is no answer. STERLING sinks into a chair, his arms on the table, his head on his arms.  A moment’s silence.] You love me—­I know that.  I appeal to your love; let your love of me persuade you to do what I ask.  I ask it for your sake and for mine!  Tell us here the truth now—­it will spare me much to-morrow, perhaps—­me whom you love—­for love of me—­

STERLING. [In an agony.] I’m afraid I’ll lose you—­

BLANCHE.  No, I’ll promise to stand by you if you’ll only tell us all the truth.

STERLING. [In a low, shamed voice.] I’ll tell you, but not now—­not before all these others.

[BLANCHE looks up questioningly to MASON.  MASON shakes his head.

BLANCHE.  It must be now, Dick.

STERLING.  No! no!  I can’t look you in the face and tell it!  Let me tell it to you alone, later, in the dark.

[BLANCHE looks up questioningly to MASON. He shakes his head.

BLANCHE.  It must be now.

STERLING.  No, no, I’m too ashamed, I can’t face you; in the dark I’ll make a clean breast of it—­let me tell you in the dark.

[WARDEN moves and puts his hand on the electric-light button beside the doorway at back.