BURKE--[Simply.] For I've a power of strength in me to lead men the way I want, and women, too, maybe, and I'm thinking I'd change you to a new woman entirely, so I'd never know, or you either, what kind of woman you'd been in the past at all. ANNA--Yes, you could, Mat! I know you could! BURKE--And I'm thinking 'twasn't your fault, maybe, but having that old ape for a father that left you to grow up alone, made you what you was. And if I could be believing 'tis only me you-- ANNA--[Distractedly.] You got to believe it. Mat! What can I do? I'll do anything, anything you want to prove I'm not lying! BURKE--[Suddenly seems to have a solution. He feels in the pocket of his coat and grasps something--solemnly.] Would you be willing to swear an oath, now--a terrible, fearful oath would send your soul to the divils in hell if you was lying? ANNA--[Eagerly.] Sure, I'll swear, Mat--on anything! BURKE--[Takes a small, cheap old crucifix from his pocket and holds it up for her to see.] Will you swear on this? ANNA--[Reaching out for it.] Yes. Sure I will. Give it to me. BURKE--[Holding it away.] 'Tis a cross was given me by my mother, God rest her soul. [He makes the sign of the cross mechanically.] I was a lad only, and she told me to keep it by me if I'd be waking or sleeping and never lose it, and it'd bring me luck. She died soon after. But I'm after keeping it with me from that day to this, and I'm telling you there's great power in it, and 'tis great bad luck it's saved me from and me roaming the seas, and I having it tied round my neck when my last ship sunk, and it bringing me safe to land when the others went to their death. [Very earnestly.] And I'm warning you now, if you'd swear an oath on this, 'tis my old woman herself will be looking down from Hivin above, and praying Almighty God and the Saints to put a great curse on you if she'd hear you swearing a lie! ANNA--[Awed by his manner--superstitiously] I wouldn't have the nerve--honest--if it was a lie. But it's the truth and I ain't scared to swear. Give it to me. BURKE--[Handing it to her--almost frightenedly, as if he feared for her safety.] Be careful what you'd swear, I'm saying. ANNA--[Holding the cross gingerly.] Well--what do you want me to swear? You say it. BURKE--Swear I'm the only man in the world ivir you felt love for. ANNA--[Looking into his eyes steadily] I swear it. BURKE--And that you'll be forgetting from this day all the badness you've done and never do the like of it again. ANNA--[Forcibly.] I swear it! I swear it by God! BURKE--And may the blackest curse of God strike you if you're lying. Say it now! ANNA--And may the blackest curse of God strike me if I'm lying! BURKE--[With a stupendous sigh.] Oh, glory be to God, I'm after believing you now! [He takes the cross from her hand, his face beaming with joy, and puts it back in his pocket. He puts his arm about her waist and is about to kiss her when he stops, appalled by some terrible doubt.]