After all, why not end it all now, at once, without any more bother? [He looks in the box, and glances up questioningly; then he remembers the fireplace where he threw the other tablets and looks across the room at the logs.  He rises, goes over, and sees in the fireplace the twisted envelope which holds the other tablets.  He bends over to pick it up; he stops short.] No!  Why shouldn’t I try it, anyway?  She, herself, gives me the chance! [He rings the electric bell, and walking away from the fireplace, takes up with a trembling hand the papers left by MASON; he wipes the damp from his forehead with his handkerchief.  To JORDAN, who enters Left.] Light the fire quickly; I feel cold.

[He sinks into the arm-chair, weak from the mental strain.

LEONARD.  It’s very warm in the house, sir.

STERLING.  Do as I tell you—­light the fire.

LEONARD. [Looking for matches on the mantel, finds the box empty.]
There are no matches, sir; I must get one.

STERLING.  No, don’t go—­here—­here—­

[He gives him a match from his own box. LEONARD notices the trembling hand and suppressed excitement of STERLING, and involuntarily glances up, but quickly looks back to his work and strikes a match.  The match goes out.

LEONARD.  I shall need another match, please, sir.

STERLING. [With one in his fingers taken from his match-box, he alters his mind.] I have no more. [He puts away his match-box.] Never mind the fire; get me a pint bottle of champagne.

LEONARD. [With a surreptitious side glance of curiosity.] Very well, sir.

[He goes out Left.

STERLING.  That was funny; that was very funny!  I wonder if it was accident, or if there’s such a thing as fatality. [He goes to the fireplace and picks up the twisted envelope.] If not now—­perhaps some other time—­who knows? [He thrusts the envelope in his vest pocket, and takes up the papers again from the table to look over them.] I can’t read these things! [Throwing them down.] The words mean nothing to me!

[There is the sound outside of a cork being drawn. LEONARD enters with the champagne and a glass and places them beside STERLING.

LEONARD.  Shall I light the fire now, sir?

STERLING.  No, never mind now.

LEONARD.  Yes, sir.

[He goes out Left.

[STERLING half fills the glass with champagne.  He takes out the box of tablets and counts aloud.