[_He goes to the desk and sits at it, looking blankly before him. She comes slowly, almost timidly, behind his chair._ JINNY. No, don't say it! don't say it! Try to forgive me--oh, Jack, I hate myself, and I'm so ashamed of myself! I know I've disappointed you awfully, awfully! You _did_ idealize me; I knew it when you married me, but I told you then I wasn't worth your loving me, didn't I? I never pretended to be worthy of you. I always knew I wasn't. AUSTIN. Hush! JINNY. It's true! it's only too awfully true. But do you remember how you answered me then when I told you I wasn't worth your loving me? AUSTIN. [_Coldly and without looking at her._] No. JINNY. You took me in your arms and held me so I couldn't have got away if I'd wanted to--which I didn't--and stopped the words on my lips with your _kisses_. [_Her throat fills. He makes no reply. She goes on very pathetically._] _How I wish_ you'd answer me that way now! AUSTIN. Whose fault is it? JINNY. Oh, mine! _mine_! I know it. _You_ don't know it one-half so well as I! I love you better than anything in the world, love everything of you--the turn of your head, the blessed touch of your hand, the smallest word that comes from your dear lips--the thoughts that your forehead hides, but which my heart guesses when I'm sane! And yet, try as hard as I can, these mad fits take hold of me, and although I'd willingly _die_ to save you _pain_, still _I_, _I_ myself, hurt and wound you past all bearing! It doesn't make any difference that _I_ suffer too! _I ought_ to! I deserve to--you _don't_! Oh, no! I know I'm a disappointment and a failure! [_Her eyes fill up with tears and her voice breaks._ AUSTIN. [_He turns to her._] No, Jinny, not so bad as that, only I thought you were _big_--and you're _so little_, oh, _so small_! JINNY. Yes, it's true; I'm small--I'm _small_! Oh, I'd like to be big, too! I want to be noble and strong, but I'm not--I'm as weak as water--only it's _boiling_ water! I want to be Brunhilde, and I'm only Frou Frou! Yes, I'm little; but I _love_ you--_I love you!_ [_She sinks on to a stool beside him. A moment's pause._ [_With a trembling voice._ You don't mind my sitting here? AUSTIN. No-- [_Very quietly, he places his arm about her neck, his hand on her shoulder. She quickly steals up her hand to take his, and leaning her head over it, kisses his hand. He draws it away and kisses her hair._ JINNY. [_Timidly, very softly._] You forgive me? AUSTIN. [_With a long sigh._] Yes. JINNY. [_Bursting into tears and burying her face upon his knees._] Thank you--thank you--I know I don't deserve it--I don't deserve it--I don't deserve it! AUSTIN. [_Softly._] Sh!-- [_JINNY half turns and looks up at him._ JINNY. [_Very, very quietly._] You forgive me--but still--yes, I see it in your face, you don't love me the same. You look so tired, dear. AUSTIN. [_Also very quietly._] I am, Jinny. JINNY. And--happy? AUSTIN. I'm _not_ quite happy.