CLARE. I do mean it. You ruin him because of me. You get him down, and kick him to intimidate me.
MRS. FULLARTON. My dear girl! Mr. Twisden is not personally concerned. How can you?
CLARE. If I were dying, and it would save me, I wouldn't take a penny from my husband.
TWISDEN. Nothing could be more bitter than those words. Do you really wish me to take them back to him?
CLARE. Yes. [She turns from them to the fire]
MRS. FULLARTON. [In a low voice to TWISDEN] Please leave me alone with her, don't say anything to Mr. Dedmond yet.
TWISDEN. Mrs. Dedmond, I told you once that I wished you well. Though you have called me a coward, I still do that. For God's sake, think—before it's too late.
CLARE. [Putting out her hand blindly] I'm sorry I called you a coward. It's the whole thing, I meant.
TWISDEN. Never mind that. Think!
With the curious little movement of one who sees something he does not like to see, he goes. CLARE is leaning her forehead against the mantel-shelf, seemingly unconscious that she is not alone. MRS. FULLARTON approaches quietly till she can see CLARE'S face.