SIR GEOFFREY. How? LADY TORMINSTER. Oh, never mind how! I knew. And I suspected you would be sitting up here to-night. So I came down, hoping to find you. I wanted this talk with you. And I extracted your confession--as though it had been a tooth. SIR GEOFFREY. And why? LADY TORMINSTER. Why? Because it will be something to think of, in the dull days ahead. Because I knew that you loved me, and wanted to be told. Because your life lies before you, and mine is ended. Because I love you, and insisted that you should know. You leave me now, and I have no illusions. Paolo and Francesca are merely a poet's dream. You will marry--of course you will marry--but this moment, at least, has been mine. SIR GEOFFREY. [_Stretching out yearning hands._] This moment, and every moment, in past and future! LADY TORMINSTER. Ah, the future! Strange little syllables that hide so much! I can see you, introducing your wife to me, a little shyly--I can see myself, shaking hands with her--and with you.... My boy is seven already--time travels fast.... But it's good to know that you really have loved me, all these years.... SIR GEOFFREY. By day and by night--you, and only you! LADY TORMINSTER. And I have loved you--ah, yes, I have loved you!... And, having said this to each other, we will not meet again--till you bring me your wife. SIR GEOFFREY. Ah--then! LADY TORMINSTER. I have loved you, and I love you, for the fine, upright, loyal creature that you are. I love you for loving Jack; and it is Jack's great quality in my eyes that he has been able to inspire such love. And, my dear friend, let us not be ashamed, we two, but only very proud, and very happy. We shall go our ways, and do our duty; but we shall never forget this talk we have had to-night. SIR GEOFFREY. [_Gently._] I am beginning to understand.... LADY TORMINSTER. You will be less lonely in future ... and I no longer afraid of the stars.... Brave heart--oh, brave little heart that I for a moment have held in my hands! SIR GEOFFREY. [_With a passionate movement towards her._] Gertrude! LADY TORMINSTER. [_Lifting a finger._] No--stay where you are.... Those are the first rays of dawn--I must go.... Good-bye. We have no need to shake hands, you and I.... Ah, Geoffrey--good-bye! [_She goes swiftly, and closes the door. He bends his head, and remains standing, motionless, by the table._ CURTAIN THE BRACELET A PLAY IN ONE ACT THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY HARVEY WESTERN HIS HONOUR JUDGE BANKET MARTIN WILLIAM MRS. WESTERN MRS. BANKET MISS FARREN SMITHERS TIME--_The present_ _Produced at the Liverpool Repertory Theatre on Feb. 26, 1912_ THE BRACELET