Jeannette. I will. [She exits quickly. Mrs. Wolton goes to the two bridesmaids up stage, who at the same time are joined by the two bridesmaids down stage. Guests go out.
Mrs. Wolton. [As she goes.] Henry! [Dawson joins them.] Take them into the choir-rooms, please. [She motions off stage. Dawson with bouquet exits. Maids exeunt. As they go, Mrs. Wolton and Douglas meet and speak. The Clergyman has been speaking to Marion. Ushers urge guests to leave and exeunt with guests after Jeannette returns.
Fletcher. [To Clergyman.] I say that woman cannot stop this ceremony. Go on!
Marion. [To Clergyman.] You heard him give me his word ... go on.
Clergyman. I am very sorry, but the church does not allow me to. I must give her the chance to prove herself. [Fletcher speaks to his groomsman, Johnstone, who exits into vestry. At the same time Jeannette re-enters, bringing by the hand a small child, Edward, with her. She leads him straight to the foot of the chancel steps, and, pointing to Fletcher, speaks. All through the rest of this scene, the child keeps hold of the skirts of the mother ... standing close to her side.
Jeannette. This is that man's child ... and mine. [Mrs. Lorrimer exits; also Ethel. Re-enter Dawson without bouquet. Fletcher speaks to the Clergyman. Mrs. Fletcher leaves the pew and joins Mrs. Wolton. Douglas joins Mrs. Lorrimer, and all the guests and ushers leave the church quietly. Marion starts to go to Mrs. Wolton.
Marion. Mother!
Jeannette. [Turning and facing Marion.] Ah!... you go to her, in what must be the greatest sorrow of your life ... well, so will he ... [With her arms around the child.] come to me when he begins to understand, and that's why I am here.
Fletcher. [To Clergyman.] Ask her for proofs! She won't have them! It is a question of her word or mine, and surely there can be no such question, when the woman is that sort of thing! [Turns to Marion.] Marion! [The Clergyman goes to Jeannette, up stage, with whom he talks. Marion joins Fletcher, and they come down the steps, but she does not look at him. Mrs. Wolton starts to go to Marion. Fletcher stops her.
Fletcher. [To Mrs. Wolton.] No. I wish to speak to Marion alone. [Mrs. Wolton and Mrs. Fletcher speak together up stage. Mrs. Wolton, turning back, faints. Dawson and Mrs. Fletcher take her out.