Mr. S. I care not what may follow. Whatever punishment may be in store for me, will be as nothing compared to the bitter shame of my degradation in the eyes of my poor boy, whom I have loved. He will desert me now! And what matters the rest—what matters the rest?
Fred. Father, I swear that where you are, there will I be to the end.
Mr. S. Heaven bless you for that.
Fred. Whatever you may have been—whatever I may have been—I am your son, and I love you; and I will be with you—to the end!
Mr. S. And the end is at hand.
Fitz. And the end is at hand.
[Exeunt Frederick Smailey, followed by Fitz Partington. Eve stretches out her arms towards Frederick as he goes, but he does not see her.
Ruth. (who, during the preceding dialogue, has been kneeling at Mrs. Van Brugh’s feet.). Mistress, my good and kind mistress, I had that paper in safe keeping miles away, I walked day and night to fetch it. It was hard to leave you in your sorrow, but none other could have got it. My mistress, my pure and perfect mistress, my angel from heaven, we will never part again.
Mrs. V. B. We will never part again, Ruth. Under the guidance of our loving friend, we will sail to the new land, where, humbly as becomes penitents, cheerfully as becomes those who have hope, earnestly as becomes those who speak out of the fullness of their experience, we will teach lessons of loving kindness, patience, faith, forbearance, hope, and charity.