SIR LYOLF (looks at portrait, sighs, turns away). Come, Mr. Docwray. I can’t say I like this Mrs. Lesden of yours—I wonder why I’m going to ask her to dinner.
(Exit.)
MARK (who has been looking intently at portrait). What a wonderful portrait that is of your mother! It seems as if she were alive!
MICH. She is.
(Exit MARK after SIR LYOLF.)
MICH. (goes up steps, takes portrait into his hand). Yes, I have acted faithfully to my people, have I not? Whisper to me that I have done right to restore to this wandering father and child the blessing of a transparent life, a life without secrecy and without guile! Whisper to me that in this morning’s work I have done what is well pleasing to my God and to you.
AUDRIE LESDEN, about thirty, in a very fashionable morning dress, enters at back of window in the opposite direction to that in which SIR LYOLF and MARK have gone off. At first she seems to be watching them off. When she gets to the open window, she turns and sees MICHAEL with the portrait in his hand. MICHAEL very reverently kisses the portrait and places it on table; as he does so he sees her.
MICH. Mrs. Lesden!
AUDR. Wasn’t that Sir Lyolf who just went out?
MICH. Yes. I’ll call him back——