MISS GODESBY. [After a moment’s pause, looks straight into WARDEN’S face.] I’ll tell you what I’ll do.  Get me some security, some sort of indorsement of Sterling’s note—­

WARDEN.  If the man’s only alive!

MISS GODESBY.  And I’ll hold my tongue.

WARDEN.  How long will you give me?

MISS GODESBY.  Oh, come, I can’t have any monkey business!  You must get me my security to-day.

WARDEN.  To-day?

MISS GODESBY.  Yes.

WARDEN.  But—­

MISS GODESBY.  That’s my last word.

GODESBY.  Stick to that, Julia!

WARDEN.  I shan’t try to persuade her against that.  Will you leave your sister alone with me a moment.  Perhaps you’ll see about your sleigh being ready to return to town.

GODESBY.  I’ve no objection—­if Julia wishes it.

MISS GODESBY.  Yes, go on, Howard!

[GODESBY goes out back of house.

WARDEN. [Left alone with MISS GODESBY, goes nearer to her.] Look, here!  Will you accept my indorsement?  Will I be all right?

MISS GODESBY. [Incredulously.] Certainly.

WARDEN.  Then it’s settled?

MISS GODESBY.  You don’t mean it!

WARDEN.  I do.

MISS GODESBY.  You’d be willing to lose—­[A revelation comes to her.]
Oh—­for Mrs. Sterling!  I see!

WARDEN. [Very seriously.] I wouldn’t.  I wouldn’t see.

MISS GODESBY.  And she’s always been blackguarding me for my affairs with men!  And all the time—­

WARDEN. [Interrupts strongly.] Don’t say any more, please, Miss
Godesby!  I only wish your brother had said that much instead of you.

MISS GODESBY. [Disagreeably.] So you’re in love with Blanche Sterling?

WARDEN.  No!

MISS GODESBY.  Oh, come, don’t tell a lie about it; that will only make it seem worse.

WARDEN.  Well, suppose I were in love with her—­what of it?

MISS GODESBY.  Nothing; only, my dear Warden, that woman—­

WARDEN. [Interrupts.] Wait a minute!  You’ve got me in a corner, but knowing half the truth, you mustn’t guess the whole.  She is even more ignorant of my love for her than you were ten minutes ago! [MISS GODESBY smiles and makes a little satirical exclamation.] You don’t believe that, but I’ll make you.  I’m going to tell you something I’ve never even told myself.  I’m going to put you to a big test, because I’ve got to.  Apparently, I can’t help myself; but after all, somehow I believe in the human nature in you, and you’ve got it in your power to help or hurt the woman I love—­I say those words aloud for the first time—­the woman I love!

[He has finished his speech in a lowered tone throbbing with controlled feeling.

MISS GODESBY. [Incredulously.] You’ve never told her?