Adri. Love him, Hilda! Yea. I worship him. The grand nobility of his soul has inspired my heart with the strong, undying love of the wife.
Hil. And does Reginald know of the change of your heart?
Adri. Alas, no! Pride—foolish pride—has kept me from making the confession to him.
Hil. Adrienne, let me beseech you, then, to write to him at once, and bring the sunshine of joy to his wretched heart. Do not mar your own happiness by withholding the true state of your feelings. Think of your child—your darling Alice. Do not deprive her future of the happiness of a father’s love.
Adri. I am so unworthy of him. Can he—will he forgive? [Aside.] His words when he left me—“Perhaps in time your feelings may change; if so, the words ‘Reginald, I love you—come back,’ will bring to your side one who will forever love you.” [To Hilda.] Yes, yes, Hilda, you have taught me my duty. I will unburden to him my heart. I will say—“Reginald, I love you—come back.” [Morris comes forward. Down L.]
Mor. God bless you, my daughter!
Adri. You here?
Mor. Forgive me, Adrienne, for being a listener. But I am glad, for it has convinced me how much I had wronged you in my thoughts. It has shown me the true and loving heart of a woman—of a true and loyal wife, who can yet be a pride to the loving heart of a husband, and a joy in the declining years of his father. I have treated you coldly, harshly, unjustly. I knew not the cause—the motive of your action. I looked but upon the result. I now ask, in all humility and deference, your forgiveness. [He kneels to her.]
Adri. Rise, most noble sir! I have naught to forgive! I, alone, am to blame. I have merited your censure by my conduct. Heaven grant it may not be too late to restore to your arms an honored and dutiful son, and to me a cherished and beloved husband.
Mor. [Embraces her.] Adrienne! [Kisses her forehead.] God bless you, my daughter! [His head droops on her shoulder. Adrienne gives her hand to Hilda, who takes it in both her own. Picture. Whistle scene.]