Kyrle I’d say he had no chance.
Anne Oh, Captain Cautious! Well answered. Isn’t he fit to take care of anybody! his cradle was cut out of a witness-box.
Enter Hardress through window, R., in flat.
Kyrle [R.] Anne! I don’t know what you mean, but that I know that I love you, and you are sporting with a wretchedness you can not console. I was wrong to remain here so long, but I thought my friendship for Hardress would protect me against your invasion—now I will go. [Hardress advancing.
Hard [C.] No, Kyrle, you will stay. Anne, he loves you, and I more than suspect you prefer him to me. From this moment you are free; I release you from all troth to me: in his presence I do this.
Anne [L.] Hardress!
Hard There is a bar between us which you should have known before, but I could not bring myself to confess. Forgive me, Anne—you deserve a better man than I am. [Exit, L.
Anne A bar between us! What does he mean?
Kyrle He means that he is on the verge of ruin: he did not know how bad things were till last night. His generous noble heart recoils from receiving anything from you but love.
Anne And does he think I’d let him be ruined any way? Does he think I wouldn’t sell the last rood of land—the gown off my back, and the hair off my head, before that boy that protected and loved me, the child, years ago, should come to a hap’orth of harrum?