Margaret
(Abruptly raising her head, and with one outstretched arm preventing the embrace.) Wait.
(She bows her head on her hand for a moment, to think and to win control of herself.)
(Lifting her head and looking at him.) Sit down—please.
(Knox reseats himself.)
(A pause, during which she looks at him and loves him.) Dear, I do so love you—
(Knox loses control and starts to rise.) No! Sit there. I was weak. Yet I am not sorry. You are right. We must forego each other. We cannot be thieves, even for love's sake. Yet I am glad that this has happened—that I have lain in your arms and had your lips on mine. The memory of it will be sweet always.
(She draws her cloak around her, and rises.)
(Knox rises.) You are right. The future belongs to the children. There lies duty—yours, and mine in my small way. I am going now. We must not see each other ever again. We must work—and forget. But remember, my heart goes with you into the fight. My prayers will accompany every stroke.
(She hesitates, pauses, draws her cloak thoroughly around her in evidence of departure.) Dear—will you kiss me—once—one last time? (There is no passion in this kiss, which is the kiss of renunciation. Margaret herself terminates the embrace.)