PEGGY. I’ve no intention of lecturing, Hugh. A ruined man needs no lecture. He’s a lecture to look at. O’C. A ruined man at twenty-five! Talk sense, Peggy. You can’t ruin a man at that age--not if you broke him in two. I’ve had my fling, Peggy, it’s all over but the auction, and I don’t regret it. PEGGY. Just so. [_Takes out packet_] I’ve your ring and presents here. I want to return them. O’C. Ah, this is cruel! I hadn’t thought of this. But Lady Fate doesn’t do her work slipshod. She keeps the big hammer for the last blow.... But you might keep these things, Peggy--just to spite the hag. PEGGY. Impossible, Hugh. You must take them back. They’re valuable, and you may need the money. O’C. That’s true. I may need the money. [_Takes packet and looks round._] Have you no fire here? PEGGY. We let the fire go out after breakfast. O’C. And where, if it’s a fair question, do you heat your irons? PEGGY. There’s a fire over in the old kitchen. O’C. [_going towards back door_]. I’ll add some fuel to it. PEGGY [_stops him_]. You mustn’t go out there, Hugh! Mother would see you. Don’t be a fool.... I mean don’t be reckless. O’C. [_comes back_]. Nothing foolish about me, Peggy. I’ve always been rather famous for my wisdom. [_Weighing packet_] This was a prudent investment! Four hundred pounds, I think. Do you remember the day I got these trinkets, Peggy? PEGGY. No. O’C. You mean yes. I remember it too. I’d sold a mare and foal at a thousand guineas. I was under the impression that you and I were engaged, and I rushed off and bought these family jewels.... ’Twas all a mistake. My mistake. PEGGY. Stop, Hugh. Please. I remember everything far too well. O’C. And is this the end of the story? Somehow I can’t believe it. Can you? PEGGY. We’ve both got to believe it. It’s the only way to end it. You’re free and so am I. O’C. Well, I must say you’ve cut it down pretty fine. You’ve left it to within an hour of the auction to deliver the knock-out. PEGGY. I left it as long as I could, Hugh--till there wasn’t a gleam of hope anywhere. O’C. The auction wasn’t enough of a tragedy for one day! It needed this to finish it.... Here, will you take these things back? PEGGY. I can’t, Hugh. And I always told you it was folly to put so much money in those presents. Something at half a crown would have done me just as well. O’C. Perhaps. But I didn’t want a half-crown sweetheart. Nor a half-crown wife either. A woman at that price is usually very dear in the end. [_Offers packet_] Here, Peggy. Take them and keep them. They’ll remind you of a very foolish fellow.... PEGGY. I can’t, Hugh. O’C. You mean you won’t? PEGGY. I won’t. O’C. [_flings packet across kitchen_]. To blazes with that! And with every romantic thing on earth.