Katherine. [Turning away] Helen has just been telling me a dream she’s had of Hubert’s death.

More.  Poor child!

Katherine.  Dream bad dreams, and wait, and hide oneself—­there’s been nothing else to do.  Nothing, Stephen—­nothing!

More.  Hide?  Because of me?

     [Katherine nods.]

More. [With a movement of distress] I see.  I thought from your letters you were coming to feel——.  Kit!  You look so lovely!

     [Suddenly he sees that she is crying, and goes quickly to her.]

More.  My dear, don’t cry!  God knows I don’t want to make things worse for you.  I’ll go away.

     She draws away from him a little, and after looking long at her,
     he sits down at the dressing-table and begins turning over the
     brushes and articles of toilet, trying to find words.

More.  Never look forward.  After the time I’ve had—­I thought—­ tonight—­it would be summer—­I thought it would be you—­and everything!

     While he is speaking Katherine has stolen closer.  She suddenly
     drops on her knees by his side and wraps his hand in her hair. 
     He turns and clasps her.

More.  Kit!

Katherine.  Ah! yes!  But-to-morrow it begins again.  Oh!  Stephen!  How long—­how long am I to be torn in two? [Drawing back in his arms] I can’t—­can’t bear it.

More.  My darling!

Katherine.  Give it up!  For my sake!  Give it up! [Pressing closer to him] It shall be me—­and everything——­

More.  God!

Katherine.  It shall be—­if—­if——­

More. [Aghast] You’re not making terms?  Bargaining?  For God’s sake, Kit!

Katherine.  For God’s sake, Stephen!

More.  You!—­of all people—­you!

Katherine.  Stephen!

     [For a moment more yields utterly, then shrinks back.]

More.  A bargain!  It’s selling my soul!

He struggles out of her arms, gets up, and stands without speaking, staring at her, and wiping the sweat from his forehead.  Katherine remains some seconds on her knees, gazing up at him, not realizing.  Then her head droops; she too gets up and stands apart, with her wrapper drawn close round her.  It is as if a cold and deadly shame had come to them both.  Quite suddenly more turns, and, without looking back, feebly makes his way out of the room.  When he is gone Katherine drops on her knees and remains there motionless, huddled in her hair.

Thecurtain falls

ACT IV

It is between lights, the following day, in the dining-room of MORE’s house.  The windows are closed, but curtains are not drawn.  Steel is seated at the bureau, writing a letter from MORE’s dictation.

Steel. [Reading over the letter] “No doubt we shall have trouble.  But, if the town authorities at the last minute forbid the use of the hall, we’ll hold the meeting in the open.  Let bills be got out, and an audience will collect in any case.”