Gordon. Grief does not kill. They will not die. If they were here, they'd say to me, each one of them: Be strong!
[Winthrop starts, then turns quickly away into the darkness outside the square of moonlight, covering his face with his hands. When he turns, his face is drawn and white.
Winth. (takes his hand, pressing it). I can take them no better word than this: you died as you have lived.
[He turns to the door where Hopkins has awaited him. Quickly they go out into the hall. Bill's voice is heard without.
Bill. You through for the night!
[He closes the door and locks it. At the sound of the key Gordon sinks to his knees in the square of moonlight.
Gordon. Thank God! (He remains with head bowed for a second, then looks about him). Five hours more!
[The heavy door of the prison is heard to close.
Gone! (He rises quickly to his feet). They have gone—and in the morning I have got to die! To-morrow! And on the scaffold, as a thief! To-night I have begun—to-morrow, then, sees how I end! Here, here, I must not think of that. No, no; I will not. That is not for me. Five hours more! The time is very short. Show me, dear God, how I shall spend it well and like a man! For is not Morgan saved! Has not the news gone safely out to him! And who has done all this! Thank God! thank God! he gave that place to me! What matter if I am afraid, for now 'tis done—'tis done! I've saved the greatest man that ever lived. I've saved him—saved him! I—yes, I! What does it matter that I want to live—I want to live!