[_Looking into the garden._] My husband and Lord Dangars. JANET PREECE. It’s the man--the man! LESLIE. The man! Lord Dangars! JANET PREECE. He lied to me; I have never known his true name till now. That’s the man who called himself Lawrence Kenward. LESLIE. Great Heavens! They are coming this way into the house. JANET PREECE. Ah, hide me, hide me! I haven’t the courage to meet him. Ah, hide me! [_She staggers to the sofa and sinks down beside it._] LESLIE. Janet! [_LESLIE crouches down by JANET and puts her arms round her protectingly, as DUNSTAN RENSHAW and LORD DANGARS ascend the steps._] LORD DANGARS. Phew! I’m smothered with dust; you would walk. DUNSTAN RENSHAW. I’m very sorry. Shall we restore the perfection of our appearance before looking for Mrs. Renshaw? [_They go into the villa._] LESLIE. Janet! Do you know that this is the man to whom Irene Stonehay is engaged to be married? JANET PREECE. I--I’ve heard them speak of him; I never suspected who he was. Heaven pity her! He’ll kill her, body and soul. LESLIE. No, no. It is you who must help me to save her. JANET PREECE. I! LESLIE. You must. If you do your utmost to rescue this weak woman from the dreadful life that is before her you’ll do something to make you happier in the future. JANET PREECE. What can I do! I couldn’t shame him. LESLIE. But you could shame her mother--you could drive any remaining feeling of irresolution from this poor girl’s mind. JANET PREECE. They wouldn’t believe me; why should they? LESLIE. Then, if they doubt you, will you face this miserable libertine before their eyes? JANET PREECE. Ah, no, no! For months I’ve been seeking him to beg him to make reparation to me, but now that I’ve found him I want to put miles between us, for I feel I’d rather go down to my grave what I am than live what he could make me! [_PRISCILLA enters._] PRISCILLA. Mrs. Stonehay and Miss Stonehay are here, ma’am. JANET PREECE. Oh! LESLIE. I’ll see them. [_PRISCILLA retires._] JANET PREECE. Let me go--give me leave to go. LESLIE. You are free to go, Janet--go. But you are going from your duty. JANET PREECE. My duty--my duty. If _he_ came to hear of it, would he think a little better of me for it? LESLIE. He? JANET PREECE. Wilfrid--your brother. LESLIE. I think he would. JANET PREECE. I’ll stay. I’ll try and do my duty. [_She sinks upon the sofa as MRS. STONEHAY and IRENE enter. MRS. STONEHAY advances to LESLIE with outstretched hands._] MRS. STONEHAY. My dear Mrs. Renshaw! LESLIE. [_Coldly._] Mrs. Stonehay. MRS. STONEHAY. Dear child, what can I say to you in reference to our--misunderstanding, shall I call it? LESLIE. Say nothing, please, nothing. MRS. STONEHAY.