Marion. [Stands up as if shot, her face full of shame and grief—turns slowly toward Douglas, bows her head, half whispers.] I beg your pardon.
Dawson. [To Fletcher.] You see you were wrong, Mr. Fletcher.
Fletcher. Possibly. Good-bye.
Mrs. Wolton. And our secret, my husband's— [Hesitates, searching for a word—does not finish.
Fletcher. Oh, I was only trying to bully your daughter into marrying me—a drowning man, you know—I thought I could make her love me again if I once had a good chance—that's all. Well—I've bought lots of pleasure at the cost of other people's; now I'm going to pay my debt, I suppose, with some misery on my own account, but—well,—I sha'n't disturb Wolton's memory. [Mrs. Wolton whispers aloud to herself involuntarily— "Thank God!" Fletcher continues speech.] Because, because— [A sob comes in his throat.] I can't help it, I still love his daughter. [After a long look at Marion, exits. Marion has turned from Douglas and listened to the end of Fletcher's speech. As he goes, Jeannette involuntarily seizes Marion's hand. Marion frees herself from Jeannette with an encouraging look at her, and follows Fletcher out.
Mrs. Lorrimer. Well, bad as he is, there is something about that man that takes right hold of me. [To Dawson.] It's lucky I've fallen in love with you, or I might have had one more inning in the divorce club.
Dawson. I'm only afraid there's a little danger of you trying it again, anyway.
Mrs. Lorrimer. With you? Oh, no! The day we are married I'm going to begin writing letters to the newspapers in favour of abolishing the institution.
Marion. [Enters. Jeannette goes to her quickly, calm and hopefully.] Go to him, he is waiting. [Jeannette gives an exclamation of emotional relief and joy.] Be tactful; he wants to sail on to-morrow's steamer—don't ... [Interrupted.
Jeannette. I understand—he shall sail alone, if he will only leave his name behind for my boy.