JINNY. That's a lie! I know everything, Ruth! I know why you followed my husband to Rome, and why he sent for you to come back here. I know that you and he were in Brooklyn this afternoon, and that you only plan to get rid of me by some divorce, and by hook or crook to marry each other! RUTH. No!--No!-- JINNY. Oh, you can lie, too, can you? I won't keep you waiting long! You've stolen my husband from me--take him. I won't _share_ him with any woman! He's yours now, and I'll soon be out of your way! AUSTIN. _Jinny!_ RUTH. [_To Austin._] She must be told the truth. [_AUSTIN bows his head._ JINNY. Now you'll make up your story, will you? I tell you it's useless. If he wouldn't let me see your compromising letter, I've seen a letter from _him_ to _you_ to-night that gives the whole thing away. RUTH. [_Very quietly._] Your husband went to Brooklyn _without me_, as your _brother_ will tell you, to see the clergyman who married me, or _thought_ he _married_ me to _Geoffrey Tillman_ three months ago! [_JINNY looks up with a start._] That marriage was _illegal_ because your brother was already married, and Mr. Austin tried and did get the promise of silence this afternoon about the Brooklyn service, to prevent a charge of bigamy against your brother. The first marriage, which still holds good, was with--Maggie, your present servant-- [_JINNY stands immovable. There is a silence._ AUSTIN. Geoffrey is not at your house? RUTH. No, he left when I came on here. As I wrote you in the note I sent upstairs, I was too stunned by what he told me to answer then, and I wanted a word of advice with you. [_She turns to JINNY._] _I_ knew what I thought was my _marriage_ to your brother must be kept secret, but I could not learn why. This was my trouble, which, after your marriage, I selfishly laid on your husband's shoulders, thinking he might help me! [_No answer from JINNY, who stands as if struck dumb and into stone._] Mr. Austin only learned the whole truth when we met that day in Rome. _I_ did not learn till to-day that I was not honestly your brother's wife. I had to be told, because divorce proceedings are to be started at once to break--the other--marriage. [_No answer from JINNY._] To spare me, and above all to spare you the knowledge of your brother's sin, your husband has kept Geoffrey's secret from you. You have _well_ repaid him! [_She turns again to AUSTIN._] Good-by--I feel to-night I couldn't marry Geoffrey again. He's tumbled so far off his pedestal he has fallen out of my heart. But still--we'll see; I've told him to come to-morrow. _Thank you_ from the bottom of my heart--it's full of gratitude, even if it is broken! [_She goes out Right._ [_JINNY slowly turns, almost afraid to look at AUSTIN. He stands stern, with set face._ JINNY. [_In a low voice, ashamed to go near him._] Can you forgive me? Can you-- AUSTIN. Ugh! [_Crossing room for his coat._