Jennifer [naively:  not yet taking it all in] Then why did you let Sir Ralph give it to Louis?

Ridgeon.  I’m going to tell you.  I did it because I was in love with you.

Jennifer [innocently surprised] In lo—­ You! elderly man!

Ridgeon [thunderstruck, raising his fists to heaven] Dubedat:  thou art avenged! [He drops his hands and collapses on the bench].  I never thought of that.  I suppose I appear to you a ridiculous old fogey.

Jennifer.  But surely—­I did not mean to offend you, indeed—­but you must be at least twenty years older than I am.

Ridgeon.  Oh, quite.  More, perhaps.  In twenty years you will understand how little difference that makes.

Jennifer.  But even so, how could you think that I—­his wife—­ could ever think of you—­

Ridgeon [stopping her with a nervous waving of his fingers] Yes, yes, yes, yes:  I quite understand:  you neednt rub it in.

Jennifer.  But—­oh, it is only dawning on me now—­I was so surprised at first—­do you dare to tell me that it was to gratify a miserable jealousy that you deliberately—­oh! oh! you murdered him.

Ridgeon.  I think I did.  It really comes to that.

      Thou shalt not kill, but needst not strive
      Officiously to keep alive.

I suppose—­yes:  I killed him.

Jennifer.  And you tell me that! to my face! callously!  You are not afraid!

Ridgeon.  I am a doctor:  I have nothing to fear.  It is not an indictable offense to call in B. B. Perhaps it ought to be; but it isnt.

Jennifer.  I did not mean that.  I meant afraid of my taking the law into my own hands, and killing you.

Ridgeon.  I am so hopelessly idiotic about you that I should not mind it a bit.  You would always remember me if you did that.

Jennifer.  I shall remember you always as a little man who tried to kill a great one.

Ridgeon.  Pardon me.  I succeeded.

Jennifer [with quiet conviction] No.  Doctors think they hold the keys of life and death; but it is not their will that is fulfilled.  I dont believe you made any difference at all.

Ridgeon.  Perhaps not.  But I intended to.

Jennifer [looking at him amazedly:  not without pity] And you tried to destroy that wonderful and beautiful life merely because you grudged him a woman whom you could never have expected to care for you!

Ridgeon.  Who kissed my hands.  Who believed in me.  Who told me her friendship lasted until death.

Jennifer.  And whom you were betraying.

Ridgeon.  No.  Whom I was saving.

Jennifer [gently] Pray, doctor, from what?

Ridgeon.  From making a terrible discovery.  From having your life laid waste.