Eug. (starting up). These words to me from you? Oh, Lizzie, I am a miserable wretch.
Liz. You have been gay, careless, reckless, but oh, I cannot believe you wholly bad. My share in your thoughtless past I freely forgive. I wanted to tell you this, and say I hope in the future to see you worthy the esteem of every one.
Eug. I dare not hope that, Lizzie.
Liz. But you will try?
Eug. Oh, yes! I shall try. But my father,—he will surely never forgive me, will banish me from his house.
Liz. Not if you tell him how penitent you are.
Eug. He has not a heart like yours, Lizzie.
Liz. But Kate will intercede for you.
Eug. Kate, heaven bless her, I know she will. What has she not done for me already? And to think that I once set myself up as so far above her, and plumed myself on being a lord of creation,—I, a poor, weak fool, not worthy to touch the hem of her garment.
Liz. Those words prove to me that you are no longer the Eugene you were.