Sir George was most complimentary. The Government would recognise my services--my long services, he called it. He even discussed with me--asked my advice, if you _must_ know the full weight of honour placed upon me!--as to my successor---- _Mrs. Lattin_ Successor! _Phillip_ But, darling, _some one_ must fill my place. There must be a _locum tenens_, as they say in the church. _Mrs. Lattin_ You’ve--resigned! _Phillip_ Dear one, there was no other way. It’s a formality, you see. I can always take it up again where I left it off. Our man in Egypt--just now--must be _there_. He must be on the spot, of course---- _Mrs. Lattin_ But six months’ leave! Surely, six months’ leave---- _Phillip_ Means the entire winter. There, there, Little Child, it’s nothing. You must not exaggerate like this. What is my work in Egypt compared to being with you. The doctors forbid you to go out. It’s quite simple: I prefer to stay with you. _My_ world lies in your heart. I--I can always take up the work again when--when you’re better. _Mrs. Lattin_ Resigned, resigned! You have actually resigned. Your career--I have broken your career--at last--completely. Is it wrong, then, that I need you so? _Phillip_ Hush, dearest---- _Mrs. Lattin_ You have paid this tremendous price--and I have made you pay it. _Phillip_ I wish to be always with you. That is my only wish, my only happiness. _Mrs. Lattin_ For my sake you have sacrificed---- _Phillip_ It’s I who am selfish to tire you with all this stupid Government business. There, now; you’ve talked too much and I have done you harm. There’s only happiness in my heart. No more nonsense-talk about sacrifice. You must lie quiet and rest again. I can be always with you. _Mrs. Lattin_ Yes, to the end--my end and yours. O God! Why did I not understand before? _Phillip_ You must not speak like that. Love--our love--knows no end. _Mrs. Lattin_ Oh, I am miserable, Phillip, miserable, miserable. _Phillip_ _Please_, do not say such things. _Mrs. Lattin_ But I must, I must. My selfishness has brought you to this last renouncement. Egypt has meant so much to you. _Phillip_ Too much, Mary, too much. Egypt was coming between us. _Mrs. Lattin_ Your work there, the great work I have ruined…! Egypt meant home to you. _Phillip_ Home is where you are, dearest, and nowhere else. You have taught me this--in time. (_To himself._) Egypt! Ah, Egypt! _Mrs. Lattin_ I hate it. It terrifies me. There is pain for me in Egypt. An instinctive dread comes over me always--something from very far away. I _have_ struggled against it, for your sake, but--oh, it’s so, so strong. If only you could forgive me----! _Phillip_ Hush, dearest! _Mrs. Lattin_ But it _has_ come between us. You love it so. And it’s my fault that you can’t--your career, I mean---- _Phillip_