GEOFFREY. Till I can straighten my affairs out. I can't explain it all to you; there are terrible debts,--one more than all the others,--a debt I made when I was in college. RUTH. If I could only help you! I have a _little_ money. GEOFFREY. No, I love you too much; besides, this debt isn't _money_, and I hope to get rid of it somehow before long. RUTH. Forgive me for worrying you. It is only that every one is so happy at this wedding except me,--dear Jinny brimming over with joy, as I would be,--and it's made me feel--a little-- GEOFFREY. [_Comes around the sofa and sits beside her._] I know, dear, and it's made me feel what a brute I am! Oh, if you knew how I hate myself for all I've done, and for the pain and trouble I cause you now! [_MAGGIE, her sharp features set tense, appears in the doorway on the left behind the curtains and listens._ RUTH. Never mind, we won't think of that any more. GEOFFREY. I can never throw it off, not for a minute! I'm a worthless fellow and how can you love me-- RUTH. [_Interrupting him._] I _do_! You are worth everything to me, and you will be worth much to the world yet! GEOFFREY. I love you, Ruth--that's the one claim I can make to deserve you. But it's helped me to give up _all_ the beastly pleasures I used to indulge in! RUTH. [_Softly._] Geof! GEOFFREY. Which I used to think the only things worth living for, and which now, thanks to you, I loathe,--every one of them. RUTH. I'm so glad! I've been some help, then. GEOFFREY. If I'd only got you earlier, I'd have been a different man, Ruth! RUTH. [_Smiling and taking his nervous hand in hers._] Then I mightn't have fallen in love with you if you were a _different_ man! GEOFFREY. Dear girl! Anyway, this is the good news that I want to tell you--I hope now to have things settled in a couple of weeks. RUTH. [_In glad relief._] Geoffrey! GEOFFREY. But--I mayn't be successful; it might be, Ruth--it might be, we would have to wait--for years-- RUTH. [_Quietly._] I don't think I could bear that! It's not easy for me to lie and deceive as I've had to the last few months; I don't think I could keep it up. [_PETER CULLINGHAM enters suddenly, from the ballroom, a pale young man, but, unlike GEOFFREY, hard and virile._ PETER. Oh, here you are! I say, are you two spoony? Just the way _I_ feel! [_Laughing._] I caught and hugged old Mrs. Parmby just now! I think it's sort of in the air at weddings, don't you? GEOFFREY. [_Rising._] I'm surprised to see you've left the refreshment table, Peter. PETER. They sent me to find Miss Chester--they're going to cut the bridesmaid's cake, and if you two really are spoony, Miss Chester, you'd better not miss it--you might get the ring! [_They laugh as PETER takes out a bottle from which he takes a round, black tablet which he puts in his mouth._ RUTH. [_Also rising._] I'd better go. [_PETER is making frantic efforts to swallow the tablet._ GEOFFREY. [_Noticing him._] What's the matter with you?