WARDEN. [_Interrupts._] Wait a minute! You've got me in a corner, but knowing half the truth, you mustn't _guess_ the whole. She is even more ignorant of my love for her than you were ten minutes ago! [MISS GODESBY _smiles and makes a little satirical exclamation._] You don't believe that, but I'll _make_ you. I'm going to tell _you_ something I've never even told myself. I'm going to put you to a big test, because I've got to. Apparently, I can't help myself; but after all, somehow I believe in the human nature in you, and you've got it in your power to help or hurt the woman I love--I say those words aloud for the first time--the woman I love! [_He has finished his speech in a lowered tone throbbing with controlled feeling._ MISS GODESBY. [_Incredulously._] You've never told her? WARDEN. Never; and you show how little you really know her when you ask that question! She loves her husband. MISS GODESBY. I'm not so sure about that! WARDEN. I am, and I _love her_. But surely the silent love of a man, like mine, is no insult to a good woman--cannot harm her! A love that is never spoken, not even whispered, can't hurt any one, except, perhaps, the one who loves. You must acknowledge even _you_ have never heard a hint; you _showed_ just now your real surprise at what circumstances revealed to you! I'd die sooner than bring the slightest shadow of a scandal on her, and I've hugged my secret tight. Have you any idea what such a love means? How it grows and grows, its strength shut in, held back, doubling and redoubling its powers!--its ideality increasing, the passion _suppressed_, locked up! Good God! I tremble sometimes when I think--suppose some day it should burst out, _break_ my control, MASTER ME! [_A pause._] And here, now, I've told _you_; I'm sorry, but I had to for _her_ sake again. Will you help me keep my secret? MISS GODESBY. [_After a second's pause._] Yes, because I believe you. WARDEN. And Mrs. Sterling? MISS GODESBY. [_Slowly, with sincere meaning._] I envy her! [_Her voice breaks and she turns away from him._ WARDEN. No one is to know I indorse Sterling's note? MISS GODESBY. You needn't sign the note; my brother'd have to see it. I'll take your word for the indorsement. [_She offers him her hand. They shake hands._ WARDEN. What a brick you are! You know you don't do yourself anything like justice in the world! [GODESBY _reenters Left and after him a_ MAN SERVANT _in ordinary clothes, who passes through the archway at back Centre._ GODESBY. Ready! WARDEN. [_Aside to her._] You can promise his silence about Sterling? MISS GODESBY. Oh, yes, he's absolutely dependent upon me. WARDEN. Thank you. MISS GODESBY. [_To_ NED _with a forced gaiety._] Good-by! WARDEN. [_Again shaking her hand_] Good-by. [_He looks his thanks at her._ GODESBY. Well? What did you do? MISS GODESBY. [_As they go._] Don't worry; I've taken care of myself for many years, and I still feel up to it!