Mrs. Tremaine.

Go back to your wife.

Denham.

Yes—­my poor Constance!  Well, Blanche, at least you and I can’t utterly spoil each other’s lives.  We can’t marry each other.

Mrs. Tremaine.

Don’t say any more.  Let us forget all this.

Denham.

Forget?  No.  But we must renounce.  You, too, will wear the sackcloth.

Mrs. Tremaine.

(petulantly) Why should I wear sackcloth?

Denham.

My dear Blanche, you are not such a fine coquette as you imagine. (Going close up to her.) Do you think I can’t read those beautiful eyes of yours?  You love me!  Your love fills the air like the fragrance of a flower. (He clasps her in his arms.)

Mrs. Tremaine.

(impatiently) Suppose I did. Apres?

Denham.

You do love me, Blanche? (Kisses her.)

Mrs. Tremaine.

(with inward rage) Yes, I love you. (Suddenly embracing him.) I love you!  What does it matter?

Denham.

Oh, it is the eternal tragedy!  We must renounce.

(Half releasing her.)

Mrs. Tremaine.

Why must we renounce?  Now that you have gone so far, why turn back?

Denham.

(releasing her) It is the least of evils.  How should I hide you from the world’s vile slanders?  Let us keep our dream unsullied. (Crosses L.)

Mrs. Tremaine.

I have been through the fire already, and could face it again—­for a man I loved, and who loved me.

Denham.

But it would scorch you worse than before.  Then, Constance!

Mrs. Tremaine.

(with scorn) Ay, Constance!  You ought to have thought of her before. (Passionately.) Why have you spoken to me?  Why have you compelled me to speak, if you are not bold enough to break the bonds that are strangling you?

Denham.

Because I must.  Don’t tempt me, Blanche.  We shall sometimes meet, look in each other’s eyes, and keep our secret.  It is best so.  I love you so much that I would save you from yourself.

Mrs. Tremaine.

I don’t understand such love. (Turns away R.)

Denham.

Women never do.  They prefer being treated like dogs.  Is it nothing that we have met heart to heart for one sweet moment, that you have rested a moment in my arms?  To me it is a glimpse of the unattainable heaven of love. (Going up to her.) Kiss me once, Blanche, and farewell!

Mrs. Tremaine.

It must be for ever, then.

(They kiss, and remain clasped in each other’s arms.)

(Enter Mrs. Denham suddenly.)

Mrs. Denham.

Arthur!  Oh, I see, I am in the way! (She is about to retire.)

Denham.