Michael and His Lost Angel: A Play in Five Acts

by Henry Arthur Jones

MICH. Andrew.

ANDR. (comes back). Sir——

MICH. (breaking down). I was harsh and cruel to Rose. I punished her more than she deserved. I was a hard, self-righteous priest! I hadn’t been tempted myself then. Send for her to come home again! Comfort her and give her the best place in your heart. Write at once. Let her come back to-morrow! Oh, what weak, wretched Pharisees we are! What masks of holiness we wear! What whited sepulchres we are! Send for her! Make up to her for all she has suffered! Let me ask her pardon! Oh, Andrew, have pity on me! Forgive me, forgive me!

(Bending his head in tears. ANDREW steals out of the room. A long pause. AUDRIE appears at window in the same place as in Act I., looks in, sees him, taps the window, he goes up to it.)

AUDR. Let me in. Quickly. I want to speak to you.

(He goes to door, opens it; a moment later she enters.)

MICH. Well?

AUDR. Why didn’t you take my warning? Why didn’t you beat me, drive me, hound me away from you as I told you?

MICH. What now?

AUDR. Say you’ll forgive me before I tell you! No, don’t forgive me!