D’A. A ruffian, whose business it is to send—
Myers. Have done—
D’A. Beauty and virtue to the auction block for prostitution! (Myers strikes D’Arneaux and is struck in return.)
Myers. I will not wait for morning to settle this. (Flings off hat, draws knife. Zina rises in terror.)
D’A. It shall be as you choose (dashing to bar and seizing a knife). And the freedom of this helpless girl shall be the issue!
Brightly. (Dashing between.) Hold on, gentlemen!
D’A. Stand aside, sir! This is a question of manhood you are unfit to decide. (Myers dashes by Brightly and attacks D’A. They fight. Myers is killed L. at once. D’A. drops his knife and stands aghast at his work. Turning suddenly to R.) It is a poltroon who would not fight from such a provocation. (Zina drops on her knees sobbing.)
D’A. (To Brightly.) The result of this duel ends your control as master here. (Zina falls on face sobbing.)
Brightly. When did I give papers to convey her?
D’A. I sought the quarrel that has ended that miscreant’s life, because he has lived in vandalism on the ruins of helpless innocence!