_Mrs. V. T._ But, Mr. Stevens, you seem to forget that the man I marry will be made rich at once. (_Aside._) Ugh, I feel like a brute. _Fred._ I’ve tried to forget it, but I couldn’t. It has come between us in the past; is it to do so in the future? _Mrs. V. T._ Mr. Stevens, I can’t tell you my grief in finding you like the rest of my disinterested masculine friends. _Fred (hotly)._ You think I care for your money? _Mrs. V. T._ What else can I think? (_Aside._) You cat! _Agnes (starting to pull aside curtain, sotto voce to Stuart)._ Oh! I mustn’t— _Stuart (checking her)._ No, don’t interfere, Mrs. Van Tromp. Let the poor fellow take the whole dose while he’s about it. _Fred (who has gone up back and now comes down)._ Miss Wortley, do you realize what you are saying? In the last minute you have three times deliberately insulted me. Say you don’t love me, if that is so, but don’t impute shameful motives to my love. It is of value to me if worthless to you. _Mrs. V. T._ Mr. Stevens, frankness under such circumstances is best for all. Put yourself in my place. I am an heiress, with expectations from my father. You acknowledge yourself that you are poor. Don’t blame me if I draw my own conclusions. _Fred._ But I will blame you, and it is the last time I shall ever trouble you. You ask me to put myself in your place: let us try the reverse. I offer you a love as true and unmercenary as was ever offered a woman. What do I deserve at your hands? Mercy, at least. But instead, you—you have not been content to reject it—you have poisoned it forever. [_Turns and walks up stage to b. d._ MRS. VAN TROMP _begins to take off mask_. AGNES _springs from bay window, and rushes forward c._ _Agnes._ One moment, Mr. Stevens. (_To Mrs. V. T. tearfully._) Oh, Frances, how could you? _Mrs. V. T. (taking off mask)._ I couldn’t. I was unmasking to show him his mistake. [FRED _stands hesitating, looking from one to the other_. STUART’S _head through curtains_. _Fred._ You are not Miss Wortley? _Agnes (taking off mask)._ No, Mr. Stevens. Miss Wortley never thought you a fortune-hunter. She remembers perfectly the first time she met you. She’s glad she brought a little heaven into your life. She’s glad that you—that you— _Fred (rushing down stage)._ That I love you? _Agnes._ Yes. _Fred._ And you are willing to make the sacrifice? _Agnes._ Yes. _Fred._ And you care for me? _Agnes._ No (_holds out her hand_), I love you. _Fred (taking and kissing it)._ My treasure! [_Both retire up back l._ _Mrs. V. T._ Heigho! That’s what comes of wrong-doing. In trying to win my wager, I’ve actually helped Mr. Stuart to beat me. _Stuart (head through curtains)._ For which I can’t thank you enough! _Mrs. V. T._ You! _Stuart._ Exactly! Aren’t you ashamed? [_Comes out c._