Kate. Do not ask me; dear, forget what I have said. It is all right now--yes! all right now! Eugene--Lizzie--you do not need tell me anymore. I understand (joins their hands); I am very glad, and now will you please leave me? I--I would like to be alone. Liz. You are not offended? Kate. Offended? no indeed, child. I am sure you have both acted for the best. Eug. Dear Kate, with the help of my sister and my wife, I hope I may one day be what I once thought I was--a man! (Exit, C., with Lizzie, who comes back to kiss Kate, then exit.) Kate. Can it be true? Has the heavy load that has lain on my heart, at the bottom of all the other loads that have lain there of late, really gone? Yes--gone--all gone! Will he, can he forgive me? I must see him at once! (Rings bell.) How could I for a moment mistrust him? (Enter Jennie, C.) Kate. Please ask Dr. Endicott to come here. Jen. Yes'm. (Aside.) They two would make another nice equal-rights couple. (Exit, C.) Kate. What shall I say to him? Oh! if they could see me tremble, they would no longer call me "strong-minded." (Enter Dr. Endicott, C.) Dr. E. You sent for me, Kate? At last we meet alone! Kate. Yes, I sent for you to say, forgive me! Dr. E. Forgive you! For refusing me an explanation, do you mean? Kate. For ever having doubted you. Oh! how can I say how bitterly I have wronged you? Dr. E. Wronged me? and how? Do not fear: tell me all. Whatever it may be, it is forgiven. Kate. I doubted you. It seems impossible now that I could have done so, but I did; circumstances caused me to lay the wrong-doing of another at your door. Dr. E. If the cloud that has been between us so long has gone, I am too thankful to give anything else a second thought. So ask me not to forgive you, but rather let me ask you if you love me? Kate. I love and honor you with all my heart. Dr. E. As I do you. (Embraces her.) Kate. And please heaven our home shall be a happy one, if I _am_ strong-minded! Dr. E. _Because_ you are strong-minded, dear. And now we must prepare to relieve your father's mind of the anxiety that is growing greater every moment. Hark! they are bringing him in. (Mr. Grovenor is pushed in on chair by Mrs. Grovenor and Jennie, C. Jennie immediately exits, C. Mrs. Grovenor goes to L.) Kate (going R. of him). Dear father, I am so happy to see you out of your room once more. Mr. G. Thank you, Kate. I--I hope to get back to business again soon. Dr. E. (L. of Mr. G.). Do not give yourself any uneasiness about your business. That has gone on well. Mr. G. No, no, that cannot be. I remember-- Dr. E. That you were on the verge of ruin. But the crisis has passed, and now all is well. Mr. G. But--Brown's note. Dr. E. Brown has given you three months' time. Mr. G. Strange--oh! but Eugene-- Dr. E. That note has been paid. Mr. G. Paid! can it be? But how, who has done all this--you, doctor?