MRS. MORLAND. It came two days ago. I don’t like them, Simon, never did; they have broken so many hearts. SIMON. They have made many a heart glad too. It may be from my Harry--at last. Mother, do you think I was sometimes a bit harsh to him? MRS. MORLAND. I think you sometimes were, my son. MR. MORLAND. Open it, Simon. (_SIMON opens the telegram and many unseen devils steal into the room_.) MRS. MORLAND (_shrinking from his face_). It can’t be so bad as that. We are all here, Simon. (_For a moment he has not been here himself, he has been on an island. He is a good son to MRS. MORLAND now, thinking of her only, placing her on the sofa, going on his knees beside her and stroking her kind face. Her arms go out to her husband, who has been reading the telegram._) MR. MORLAND (_dazed_). Can’t be, can’t be! SIMON (_like some better father than he perhaps has been_). It is all right, Mother. Don’t you be afraid. It is good news. You are a brave one, you have come through much, you will be brave for another minute, won’t you? (_She nods, with a frightened smile._) Mother dear, it is Mary Rose. MR. MORLAND. It can’t be true. It is too--too glorious to be true. MRS. MORLAND. Glorious? Is my Mary Rose alive? SIMON. It is all right, all right. I wouldn’t say it, surely, if it wasn’t true. Mary Rose has come back. The telegram is from Cameron. You remember who he was. He is minister there now. Hold my hand, and I’ll read it. ‘Your wife has come back. She was found to-day on the island. I am bringing her to you. She is quite well, but you will all have to be very careful.’ MRS. MORLAND. Simon, can it be? SIMON. I believe it absolutely. Cameron would not deceive me. MR. MORLAND. He might be deceived himself; he was a mere acquaintance. SIMON. I am sure it is true. He knew her by sight as well as any of us. MR. MORLAND. But after twenty-five years! SIMON. Do you think I wouldn’t know her after twenty-five years? MRS. MORLAND. My--my--she will be--very changed. SIMON. However changed, Mother, wouldn’t I know my Mary Rose at once! Her hair may be as grey as mine--her face--her little figure--her pretty ways--though they were all gone, don’t you think I would know Mary Rose at once? (_He is suddenly stricken with a painful thought._) Oh, my God, I saw her, and I didn’t know her! MRS. MORLAND. Simon! SIMON. It had been Cameron with her. They must have come in my train. Mother, it was she I saw going across the fields--her little walk when she was excited, half a run, I recognised it, but I didn’t remember it was hers. (_Those unseen devils chuckle._) MR. MORLAND. It was getting dark. SIMON (_slowly_). Mary Rose is coming across the fields. (_He goes out. MORLAND peers weakly through the window curtains. MRS. MORLAND goes on her knees to pray._) MR. MORLAND. It is rather dark. I--I shouldn’t wonder though there was a touch of frost to-night. I wish I was more use. (_CAMERON enters, a bearded clergyman now._)