Sterling. I know what you're going to do; you don't have to tell me; of course you're going to divorce me.
Blanche. No.
Sterling. What!
[His hands drop to the table; he looks her straight in the face, doubting what he hears.
Blanche. [Looking back into his eyes.] No.
Sterling. [Cries.] Blanche!
[In a tone of amazement and joy.
Blanche. I give you one more chance, for your sake only as my boy's father. But—don't make it impossible for me—do you understand?
Sterling. Yes! I must take the true advantage of this chance your goodness gives me. I must right myself, so that people need not hesitate to speak of his father in Richard's presence. And this I will do. [With great conviction he rises.] I know I am at the cross-roads, and I know the way; but I don't choose it for your reasons; I choose for my own reason—which is that, unfit as I am, I love you.
[He speaks deliberately and with real feeling, bending over her.