Fletcher. [Enraged, to Jeannette.] If you don't go now I'll ... [Stops himself.
Jeannette. Before God, yours, [To Marion.] mine, ... [Clasping her hands on her breast.] and his God [With a look of scornful warning at Fletcher.], that man is his father, and my husband.
Fletcher. [In a fearful rage.] You lie! [Enter Mrs. Wolton and Mrs. Fletcher.
Marion. [Surprised ... pained.] Sh-h ... go on.
Jeannette. [Coming between Marion and Fletcher, she cries out ... a wild, heart-broken, desperate cry.] No! you shall not write Bastard on the forehead of my child!
Fletcher. [Beside himself.] By God! [He strikes Jeannette a blow ... which sounds.... Marion cries out and recoils. The two mothers step forward with exclamations of fright and anger. Dawson comes from the choir, brought by the sound of the cry, and goes to Marion. Jeannette falls when struck. The child clings with both arms about its mother's waist.
Marion. [After a moment, drawing in a long breath, to Fletcher.] Coward! [Her uncle takes a step forward to her ... he carries her wedding bouquet. She seizes it from him and dashes it at the feet of Fletcher, and then, throwing back her head with an expression of scorn, turns from him, takes the arm of her uncle with determination, and goes down the chancel steps out of the church. Fletcher stands crestfallen. Mrs. Wolton and Mrs. Fletcher look at each other, horrified, speechless.
Curtain.