Eug. By Jove! was I so far gone as all that? Well, I did like you amazingly, Lizzie, but, of course, that was mere talk. Liz. (looking at him earnestly and moving towards him). You did not mean it when you asked me to be your wife? Eug. Of course not, and I did not suppose you thought I did. Liz. (C.). And you call yourself a man, you who thus trifled with the heart of an innocent girl who loved you! Then if you are a type of a man, I thank heaven _I_ am a woman. Eug. Now, Lizzie, don't get mad. I did not mean any harm, 'pon my word I didn't. (Aside.) By Jove, I believe I did treat the little girl confounded mean. Liz. I loved not _you_, but the man I dreamed you were. _You_ I despise. Eug. Lizzie, I am sorry it ever happened. You see, I am a thoughtless kind of a fellow. I--I--have done a great many things I ought not. (Tries to take her hand.) Liz. (C., repulsing him). Then cultivate a different disposition in amends for the past and to save yourself from ruin, to which thoughtlessness is too often a guide. (Goes up R.) Eug. (L.). 'Pon my word, I--I believe I will try. (Enter Mr. Grovenor, R. 1 E., hastily, with paper clutched in his hand.) Mr. G. This--this is a forgery, and you, Eugene, do you--do you know--was it--can it have been you? Eug. (L., aside). Heaven! that note to-day! I thought it was to-morrow. What shall I do? Mr. G. (C.). Answer and contradict if you can the guilt I see in your face. Eug. Father, forgive me. It was a debt of honor and I hoped to be able to pay the note before it came due. I-- Mr. G. Then it was you, my son. My curse upon you, ungrateful and miserable son. Go--to a prison. I will have no mercy on you. (Lizzie screams and comes down R.) Eug. Oh! a prison! (Staggers to R., and falls into chair. Lizzie leans over him.) Mr. G. Yes, a prison, and rot there. You have ruined me; do you hear, ruined me! What have I done that I should be the father of a son like this? A forger and a--(Staggers.) Ah, my head! how it burns! What was I saying? Mercy! I will have no mercy! Where is Kate? (Rings bell over desk furiously.) Yes, ruined! ruined! (Enter Mrs. Grovenor and Alice, L. U. E.) Alice (L. C.). Father, what is the matter? Mrs. G. (L.). What can I do? Are you ill? Speak to me. Mr. G. (raving). Yes, you have ruined me. (Enter Kate, L. U. E.) Who will pay these bills? I am ill, dying, dishonored; no one will straighten out my affairs. My son--no. I have no son. I--who will, who can help, save me? (Falls, C. Kate comes down L. C., kneels and puts her arms around him.) Kate. Your _daughter_, father! (Slow music.) TABLEAU. Eugene in chair. Lizzie bending over him, R. Mr. Grovenor on floor. Kate kneeling beside him, C. Alice weeping, with arms around her mother, L. ACT III. Scene--Same as First Act. Mrs. Grovenor, sitting on sofa, R. Alice, chair, L. Dr. Endicott, R., at table, discovered.