_Reu._ And yet I noticed that when I spake lightly of her thou didst start in anger, and flush up in a fashion ridiculous to behold. I have the eye of a hawk. _Geof._ (_confused_). Oh--for that--it is true that I have laughed and jested with Dorothy, but you know we sailors have a special license for such love frolics. We mean nothing by them. It is said of us that we have a wife in every port--well, that’s a slander, but at least I’ll plead guilty to a sweetheart in every village. [_DOROTHY weeps on DAN’L’S bosom._ _Reu._ Ha! Thou art a shameless young reprobate by thine own showing. It will go hard but Sir Jasper will elicit the truth. We shall meet again! [_Exit REUBEN._ _DAN’L and DOROTHY come forward, DAN’L trembling with rage, DOROTHY weeping._ _Dan._ So, Geoffrey Wynward! The blow that is to bring me to my grave has been dealt by thine hand! The secret which was thine and mine has been revealed by thee! Oh, thief of more than hard-earned gold! Oh, slayer of more than human life, are there no laws to fit such crime as thine! _Dor._ Father! father! hurt him not! _Geof._ Master Druce--indeed, I knew not---- _Dan._ Thou knewest not! Will there be more mercy in this man’s heart because thou knewest not? Will the last years of my poor old lonely life be less desolate because thou knewest not? _Dor._ Oh, father, father, what sayest thou? _Dan._ Nay, girl, stop me not! (_Taking up a hammer._) Geoffrey Wynyard, there are injuries that laws can measure, and laws are made for ’em. There are injuries that no laws can measure, and wi’ them we deal ourselves, and wreak our vengeance wi’ our own right hands. (_To DOROTHY, who interposes._) Stand aside, girl; I’m a weak old man, but there’s devil enough in me to deal wi’ such as him. [_DOROTHY, kneeling, holds his arm._ _Dor._ No, no, father, yield not to thy wrath--he hath denied me--he hath dealt lightly with my love--and there’s an end. Oh, harm him not, oh, harm him not! Pardon him, even as I pardon him; and let him depart in peace. _Dan._ (_with a violent effort to be calm_). Ay, ay, thou recallest me to myself. He hath dealt lightly wi’ thy love--and there’s an end. Heed not the words I spake; they were empty words, and had no meaning--heed them not. Geoffrey Wynyard, thou hast spoken lightly of my child, thou hast denied her who gave thee her heart. It was ill done. Quit my roof and let me see thee no more. I--I pardon thee. Go. _Geof._ Master Druce, have pity, for my tongue is tied--I--I may not speak! _Dan._ Go! _Geof._ Dorothy, one word. Hear what I have to say. _Dor._ (_with an effort_). Geoffrey, thou hast denied me. I love thee--but--thou must go! [_GEOFFREY goes out sadly. When he has gone, DOROTHY falls sobbing at DAN’L’S feet._ _Dan._ My child! My child! [_Music._ ACT III.