Maggie. He's tried to make me believe our marriage ain't legal, because he was only twenty and he'd been drinking!
Austin. What makes you think Mr. Geoffrey cares for—Miss Chester?
Maggie. I just heard and see him making love to her here!
Austin. This is a pretty bad story, Maggie.
Maggie. Yes, sir, and the worst is, sir, I know I ain't good enough for him, and that's why I've kept still about it these three years, but I can't help loving him no matter how ugly he's treated me. [Breaking down into tears.] I just can't help it! I love him, sir, even if I'm only a servant girl, and I can't stand it thinking he's going to try and get rid of me for some one else!
[She sobs out loud.
Austin. Sh!—Maggie. Sit down a minute, and control yourself. Somebody'll hear you, and besides they'll be coming down presently. I'll have a talk with Mr. Geoffrey when I come back—
[Interrupted as Geoffrey enters Left. He doesn't see Maggie, who is collapsed in a corner of the sofa.
Geoffrey. [To Austin.] Ah! Thank goodness I've caught you; I had an awful headache and went out for a breath of air, and then I was afraid I might have missed you! I knew in that case Jinny would never forgive me, nor—I—myself—for that—matter—
[His voice grows less exuberant in the middle of his speech and finally at the end almost dies away, as he sees the expression in Austin's face and realizes that something is wrong somewhere. When he stops speaking, Maggie gives a gasping sob. He hears it, and starting, sees her.