LORETTA. [Sobbing.] I can’t.  You will despise me.  Oh, Ned, I am so ashamed.

NED. [Laughing incredulously.] Let us forget all about it.  I want to tell you something that may make me very happy.  My fondest hope is that it will make you happy, too.  Loretta, I love you—­

LORETTA. [Uttering a sharp cry of delight, then moaning.] Too late!

NED. [Surprised.] Too late?

LORETTA. [Still moaning.] Oh, why did I? [NED somewhat stiffens.] I was so young.  I did not know the world then.

NED. What is it all about anyway?

LORETTA.  Oh, I . . . he . . .  Billy . . .  I am a wicked woman, Ned.  I know you will never speak to me again.

NED. This . . . er . . . this Billy—­what has he been doing?

LORETTA.  I . . . he . . .  I didn’t know.  I was so young.  I could not help it.  Oh, I shall go mad, I shall go mad!

[NED’s encircling arm goes limp.  He gently disengages her and deposits her in big chair.]

[LORETTA buries her face and sobs afresh.]

NED. [Twisting moustache fiercely, regarding her dubiously, hesitating a moment, then drawing up chair and sitting down.] I . . .  I do not understand.

LORETTA. [Wailing.] I am so unhappy!

NED. [Inquisitorially.] Why unhappy?

LORETTA.  Because . . . he . . . he wants to marry me.

NED. [His face brightening instantly, leaning forward and laying a hand soothingly on hers.] That should not make any girl unhappy.  Because you don’t love him is no reason—­[Abruptly breaking off.] Of course you don’t love him? [LORETTA shakes her head and shoulders vigorously.] What?

LORETTA. [Explosively.] No, I don’t love Billy!  I don’t want to love
Billy!

NED. [With confidence.] Because you don’t love him is no reason that you should be unhappy just because he has proposed to you.

LORETTA. [Sobbing.] That’s the trouble.  I wish I did love him.  Oh, I wish I were dead.

NED. [Growing complacent.] Now my dear child, you are worrying yourself over trifles. [His second hand joins the first in holding her hands.] Women do it every day.  Because you have changed your mind, or did not know you mind, because you have—­to use an unnecessarily harsh word—­jilted a man—­

LORETTA. [Interrupting, raising her head and looking at him.] Jilted?  Oh Ned, if that were a all!

NED. [Hollow voice.] All!

[NED’s hands slowly retreat from hers.  He opens his mouth as though to speak further, then changes his mind and remains silent.]

LORETTA. [Protestingly.] But I don’t want to marry him!

NED. Then I shouldn’t.

LORETTA.  But I ought to marry him.

NED. Ought to marry him? [LORETTA nods.] That is a strong word.

LORETTA. [Nodding.] I know it is. [Her lips are trembling, but she strives for control and manages to speak more calmly.] I am a wicked woman.  A terrible wicked woman.  No one knows how wicked I am . . . except Billy.