JANET PREECE. Let me go! let me go! LESLIE. Janet! JANET PREECE. [_To LESLIE in a low whisper._] Mrs. Renshaw! You don’t know what a base, wicked girl you are sheltering! I’m not fit to be in your house! Oh, I’ll tell you--I’ll tell you! WILFRID BRUDENELL. Leslie, there have been no secrets between us ever, and there’s a promise that there never shall be any. LESLIE. Will? WILFRID BRUDENELL. I--I have told Janet that I love her, and I have asked her to be my wife. But Janet is in some distress and wishes to leave us. So, Les, I want you to do me a service. LESLIE. What service, brother dear? WILFRID BRUDENELL. I want you to help her--and me. [_He leaves them together._] LESLIE. Janet! Janet Preece. I love my brother very dearly, and long ago I determined that the moment his heart went out to a good girl I would call her my sister without a murmur. But you have said something to me which has--frightened me. Oh, Janet, what is it that’s wrong--what is it that’s wrong? [_JANET kneels humbly at LESLIE’S feet._] Why do you kneel, Janet? JANET PREECE. Because it’s my place in the world for evermore; because I’m of no more worth than the clod of earth you turn aside with your foot; because the time has been when I was one of the tempted and not one of the strong. LESLIE. [_Turning away._] Oh, Janet, Janet. JANET PREECE. When I found that your brother loved me I wanted to run away without the dreadful shame of confessing the truth to you. But I’m a little happier for having told you, and I’ll go out of your house now quickly and quietly, and you’ll never see me nor hear of me again. [_Kissing the edge of LESLIE’S dress._] Good-bye--my dear. Good-bye, oh my dear, my dear. [_She rises, and is about to go._] LESLIE. No, no! Stop! What you have told me seems to have stunned me. I--I can’t realize it yet. JANET PREECE. Don’t try to--it’s better you should never realize it. LESLIE. A few minutes ago you and I were like simple girls; now we have suddenly become sad grown women. Will--my poor Will! What shall I do? JANET PREECE. Nothing but let me go. LESLIE. Let you go! You have come into my life now, and your weakness and loneliness make it my task to protect you. Put on your hat--quickly. [_JANET hesitates._] Quickly! Throw that shawl over your shoulders. [_JANET obediently puts on the hat and shawl. LESLIE begins writing hurriedly at the table._] You mustn’t re-enter this house; you and my brother must never meet again. My poor brother! I am going to send you to a friend who will gladly render me a service. This afternoon I will come to you. “The Villa Lotta, Viale dei Colli.” Are you ready? JANET PREECE. Yes. LESLIE. Present this--and here, here is some money. Come, we will go through the garden. [_They go together to the garden steps. Suddenly JANET utters a cry of horror._] LESLIE. Janet! JANET PREECE. [_Dragging LESLIE from the steps._] Come away--come away! Look there! Look there! LESLIE.