AUSTIN. I can't control Miss Chester's movements--I couldn't foresee when she would come back. In Rome she told me she would stay on. JINNY. [_Rising and facing him._] Ah! that's what I wanted to see, if you really _would lie_ to me! AUSTIN. What do you mean? JINNY. [_Beside herself._] Liar! [_He only looks at her, with his face hard and set; she is insane with jealousy for the moment._] _You sent_ for Ruth to come back. AUSTIN. _And_ if _I did_? JINNY. You tried to deceive me about it. And if you'll tell me a lie about one thing, you'll tell me a lie about another, and I don't believe one word of all your explanations about the intrigue between you and Ruth Chester! AUSTIN. [_Taking her two hands._] Sit down! [_She sits in the arm-chair, half forced by him._ JINNY. _Why_ did you send for Ruth Chester to come back? AUSTIN. I have told you before, I am trying to help Miss Chester. JINNY. "_Ruth!_" AUSTIN. I am trying to help her in a great and serious trouble. JINNY. Why did you send for her to come back? What's the trouble? AUSTIN. I've told you before I can't tell you. JINNY. You daren't tell me, and you haven't even the face to tell another lie about it! AUSTIN. If you say another word, I shall _hate_ you! If you _won't_ control _yourself_, I must make you, as well as keep my own sane balance. You have insulted my love for you to-night as you've never done before; you've struck at my own ideal of _you_; you've almost done, in a word, what I warned you you might do--_kill_ the love I have for you! JINNY. [_Frightened._] Jack! AUSTIN. I mean what I say! JINNY. [_In tears._] That--that you--you don't love me? AUSTIN. That is not what I said, but I tell you now that since I first began to care for you, never have I loved you so little as I do to-night. JINNY. [_With an effort at angry justification._] And suppose I tell you it is your own fault, because you haven't treated me-- AUSTIN. [_Interrupting her._] Like a _child_, instead of a _woman_! JINNY. No, because you've kept part of yourself from me, and that part you've given-- AUSTIN. For God's sake, stop! [_A pause--JINNY is now thoroughly frightened; slowly she comes to her senses._] Do you _want_ a rupture for good between us? [_No answer._] Can't you see what I tell you is true? That I can't bear any more to-night? That if you keep on you will rob _me_ of every bit of love I have for you, just as you've already robbed me of the woman I thought you were? JINNY. "Already!" No, no, Jack, don't say that. Oh, what have I done! [_She cries._ AUSTIN. You've done something very serious, and before you do more-- [_Speaking hardly._] --I think we'd better not stay in this evening; it would be wiser for both of us if we went out somewhere. JINNY. No, I couldn't go out feeling this way! I've hurt you, hurt you terribly! Oh, why do I do it? Why can't I help myself? AUSTIN. I think one more scene to-night would finish things for us. I _warn_ you of that, Jinny--