(Stonor astonished at her yielding it up so lightly, and remembering Jean had not so much as read it. He throws himself heavily into a chair and drops his head in his hands.)
Miss L. I could drive a hard-and-fast bargain with you, but I think I won't. If both love and ambition urge you on, perhaps——(She gazes at the slack, hopeless figure with its sudden look of age—goes over silently and stands by his side.) After all, life hasn't been quite fair to you——
(He raises his heavy eyes.)
You fall out of one ardent woman's dreams into another's.
Stonor. You may as well tell me—do you mean to——?
Miss L. To keep you and her apart? No.
Stonor (for the first time tears come into his eyes. After a moment he holds out his hand). What can I do for you?
(Miss Levering shakes her head—speechless.)
Stonor. For the real you. Not the Reformer, or the would-be politician—for the woman I so unwillingly hurt. (As she turns away, struggling with her feeling, he lays a detaining hand on her arm.) You may not believe it, but now that I understand, there is almost nothing I wouldn't do to right that old wrong.