Alma. Rather inclined to go to sleep.
Sir H. Well, after five-and-twenty years of Dozey——
Alma. I don’t wonder at it.
Sir H. All women can’t have Mrs. Blake’s vivacity.
Alma. Sir Humphrey! no more compliments to-day. You said just now I was the means of reconciling you to Ned—of teaching you that your son was always your son—that forgiveness was better than resentment. You can’t pay me a greater compliment than that. It was more than I deserved. (takes chair; both sit)
Sir H. No compliment can be too great to pay to you.
Alma. Take care, Sir Humphrey! You know what they say is the greatest a man can offer a woman!
Sir H. The one I ask to be allowed to offer now. I am in earnest, Mrs. Blake. I haven’t known you long; but there are women whom men learn to love more quickly than to recognise the rest. I have lived sixteen years of lonely life, because I have never met the woman worthy to succeed the mother of my son. It is no slight to her to offer you her place. I ask you to accept it without shame, because I feel that I could set you side by side without indignity to either. I could not love you more, nor could I love you less, than she who was the light and gladness of my life. (takes Alma’s hand)
Alma. Please say no more!
Sir H. Haven’t I said enough? (lets hand go)