WARDEN.  Never; and you show how little you really know her when you ask that question!  She loves her husband.

MISS GODESBY.  I’m not so sure about that!

WARDEN.  I am, and I love her.  But surely the silent love of a man, like mine, is no insult to a good woman—­cannot harm her!  A love that is never spoken, not even whispered, can’t hurt any one, except, perhaps, the one who loves.  You must acknowledge even you have never heard a hint; you showed just now your real surprise at what circumstances revealed to you!  I’d die sooner than bring the slightest shadow of a scandal on her, and I’ve hugged my secret tight.  Have you any idea what such a love means?  How it grows and grows, its strength shut in, held back, doubling and redoubling its powers!—­its ideality increasing, the passion suppressed, locked up!  Good God!  I tremble sometimes when I think—­suppose some day it should burst out, break my control, MASTER ME! [A pause.] And here, now, I’ve told you; I’m sorry, but I had to for her sake again.  Will you help me keep my secret?

MISS GODESBY. [After a second’s pause.] Yes, because I believe you.

WARDEN.  And Mrs. Sterling?

MISS GODESBY. [Slowly, with sincere meaning.] I envy her!

[Her voice breaks and she turns away from him.

WARDEN.  No one is to know I indorse Sterling’s note?

MISS GODESBY.  You needn’t sign the note; my brother’d have to see it. 
I’ll take your word for the indorsement.

[She offers him her hand.  They shake hands.

WARDEN.  What a brick you are!  You know you don’t do yourself anything like justice in the world!

[GODESBY reenters Left and after him a MAN SERVANT in ordinary clothes, who passes through the archway at back Centre.

GODESBY.  Ready!

WARDEN. [Aside to her.] You can promise his silence about Sterling?

MISS GODESBY.  Oh, yes, he’s absolutely dependent upon me.

WARDEN.  Thank you.

MISS GODESBY. [To NED with a forced gaiety.] Good-by!

WARDEN. [Again shaking her hand] Good-by.

[He looks his thanks at her.

GODESBY.  Well?  What did you do?

MISS GODESBY. [As they go.] Don’t worry; I’ve taken care of myself for many years, and I still feel up to it!

[They go out Left and at the same time the SERVANT enters from the archway at back Centre carrying some fire logs in his arms.  This SERVANT speaks with a slight French accent.  As he reaches the house, WARDEN stops him with a question, and the GODESBYS’ sleigh-bells start up and quickly die away.  The sun begins to set.

WARDEN Have you an empty sitting room?

SERVANT.  Yes, sair.

WARDEN Warm?

SERVANT.  I will soon arrange a fire.