No, no! You couldn't—it's all over! I've thrown away my own money first, then my wife's and her mother's—that ought to have been enough,—but I had to go and break my word of honor to you, and lose every penny of yours! There's no excuse for me, nor reason to forgive.

Georgiana. [After a moment, very quietly, with her eyes filling.] There's love, Steve!

Steven. Not for a man like me. I'm not worth it. [He rises.] Not deserving it! There's only one thing for such as me, and that is to end it all with a bullet.

Georgiana. Now you're talking wildly!

Steven. [In a lowered voice.] No, Georgy, I mean it! It's better for all of you to have me out of the way; I tried to do it to-day—only, I was afraid!

Georgiana. That would be worse than anything

you have done yet. That I would never forgive—anything but that!

[She goes to him.

Steven. But the shame of my life now, the degradation, the rot of it!

[A moment's pause.