Clement, you terrify me. [C.R.] Oh, I am ashamed—ashamed. You have made me shudder at the old way. Dear, if I have lost a particle of your love, I’ll win it back. You will show me the new way, won’t you?
Parbury.
The new way for us is the old way for the wise. It is a pleasant way strewn with flowers, the flowers of self-abnegation—of sweet reasonableness—of patient tolerance—of enduring trustfulness. Walking in that way we seek diligently for the happiness, not of ourselves, but of each other. Rising in the morning we say, not, I will find happiness to-day, but I will give happiness to-day. In that way lie peace, the fulfilment of our better selves, the full golden harvest of love.
[As he speaks these words with deep sympathy, standing a little away from her, she gradually draws nearer to him.
Mrs. Parbury.
I will walk in that way with you, Clement. [She stoops, and taking one of his hands kisses it. Pause.]
[He stoops and raises her, and takes her in his arms.
Enter Miss Woodward and Gunning. Gunning wears a rose in his coat.
Gunning.