Well, then, its only just to him that you should know this. It’s _I_ that tempted _him_, not he that led me on; and I’ve lied to you in letting you think the man was to blame instead of the woman. I’m worthless, part of the rubbish of the world, and was so before I met him, and he’s a better man than you think for. There! LESLIE. Janet, do you think I don’t see through the falsehood you’re telling me? JANET PREECE. The falsehood! LESLIE. You’re trying to heal my sorrow with a fable. It’s useless; I have heard the truth from my husband’s lips. JANET PREECE. Ah, then, in pity for me, take him back! Don’t let me go to my grave knowing that I’ve ruined your life for you. Try to blame me more! Try to blame me more! [_WILFRID stirs in his sleep._] LESLIE. Hush! JANET PREECE. We’re not alone! LESLIE. My brother. JANET PREECE. [_In a whisper._] He has not heard me. I’ll go. LESLIE. Janet, I’ll not keep the truth from you! Wilfrid loves you still. JANET PREECE. Oh, no! LESLIE. He has been searching for you for days past, and he is there now worn with trouble and anxiety for you. JANET PREECE. Oh, don’t tell me! don’t tell me! LESLIE. It would be a reproach to me if I let you go in ignorance; and now, Janet, I--I leave the rest to you. JANET PREECE. God bless you for the trust you place in me! You needn’t fear me. Good-bye. LESLIE. Ah, Janet, I am so perplexed. We are both in trouble--both in trouble. JANET PREECE. In years to come, when I am only a mere speck in his life, you’ll tell him, won’t you? LESLIE. Yes, yes. JANET PREECE. [_Irresolutely._] You’ll let me look at his face once more for the last time? [_LESLIE nods her head. Looking at WILFRID._] Good-bye. [_To LESLIE._] He need never know. [_She slowly bends over WILFRID and kisses him upon the forehead. As she draws back behind the chair WILFRID opens his eyes and sees LESLIE standing before him._] WILFRID BRUDENELL. Leslie, dear, I was dreaming and you woke me with your kiss. [_JANET steals out._] What’s that? [_HUGH enters, carrying a basket of fruit._] Oh, it’s Murray. LESLIE. [_In an undertone to HUGH._] Lend me some money--some money. By-and-by I’ll tell you why I want it. HUGH MURRAY. [_To LESLIE._] Gold or notes? LESLIE. Either--both. [_He hands her some money from a cabinet, and she goes out._] HUGH MURRAY. Wilfrid. WILFRID BRUDENELL. Yes? HUGH MURRAY. Quick, man; before your sister returns! I must tell you. Renshaw is coming here to-night. WILFRID BRUDENELL. Renshaw! HUGH MURRAY. I received this note from him five minutes ago--a few lines telling me he has returned to England and entreating me to see him to-night. WILFRID BRUDENELL. You’ll not meet him! HUGH MURRAY. Why not? The man is suffering; I can read that in his handwriting. WILFRID BRUDENELL. Suffering! Let him taste such suffering as he has dealt out to others. Is my sister not suffering? Is Janet Preece not suffering? Am I not suffering? HUGH MURRAY.