GUIDE. A laurel wreath. You want to take a good look at this, as it is a very fine piece. Now come along, please--make haste; we must finish up this place before feeding! [_He leads the way out Right, and the TOURISTS follow, shuffling along, without speaking, MRS. LOPP and CARRIE lagging in the rear._ [_AUSTIN enters Left, followed by RUTH._ AUSTIN. This is where I left her with Apollo! [_Calls._] Jinny! She seems to have gone! [_He looks behind the statue and out door, Right._ RUTH. Probably the Cullinghams, who were headed in this direction, found her, and they've all gone back for us; you see I walked all around the court first without going into the rooms, so I missed them, but found you. AUSTIN. What shall we do? Sit down here and wait for them to come back, or shall I go in search? RUTH. Oh, no, you might miss them, and then we'd all be lost! If you left Jinny here, she's sure to come back to meet you. [_She sits on the bench and AUSTIN stands behind her._ AUSTIN. I'm sorry to learn you've been ill. RUTH. Oh! it's nothing. AUSTIN. Ah, I'm afraid it's a good deal. Will you forgive me if I say I think I know what it is! [_She looks up startled._ [_After a moment._ You haven't forgotten the day of Jinny's and my wedding, when you told me Geoffrey Tillman needed a friend? RUTH. I hoped _you'd_ forgotten; I oughtn't to have told you; I _oughtn't_ to have! AUSTIN. Why not? I had a talk with Geoffrey, then, and he told me everything. RUTH. He did! You are sure? AUSTIN. Sure. [_He sits beside her._ RUTH. That he and I-- AUSTIN. Love each other. RUTH. Oh, but that isn't all. AUSTIN. I know the rest! RUTH. He told you--about--about-- AUSTIN. The marriage?--Yes? RUTH. Oh, I'm so glad, so glad! Now I can speak of it to some one, and some one who can advise me, and will help us. AUSTIN. I have already advised him, but he doesn't seem to be taking my advice; it has worried me. RUTH. When I left he was awfully depressed. He said he saw no prospect of being able to publish our marriage for years, maybe! AUSTIN. _What_ marriage? [_In astonishment._ RUTH. _Our_ marriage, in Brooklyn! [_She notices his expression and is alarmed._] You said he had told you! AUSTIN. [_Recovering himself, and speaking at first with hesitation._] Yes, but not the details, not--wait, I'm a little confused. [_Rising and walking a moment._] Let's get it all quite clear now, that's the only way I can help you--both; I ought, of course, to have gone through it all with him, but there really wasn't time. RUTH. I can't go on like this much longer. It's killing me to deceive mother; I _must_ tell her soon! AUSTIN. [_Quickly, stops walking._] No. You mustn't, not yet, if I'm going to help you; you'll obey me, won't you? RUTH. Yes, if you only will help us! AUSTIN. You said you and Geoffrey Tillman were married where? RUTH. In Brooklyn. AUSTIN. When? RUTH. A month before your wedding. AUSTIN. [_To himself._] It's impossible!