{Dormer.} _(stands with his back to fire--the red glow is upon them)_ People think me a strange man, but I am strange even to myself when I find my heart running away with me as it does to-night. {Kate.} You make me frightened of what you have to say to me. {Dormer.} It rests with you whether I shall speak or hold my tongue. {Kate.} _(moves front chair R., of table)_ No---say what you have to say. {Dormer.} Will you be truthful with me? {Kate.} What do you mean by that? {Dormer.} Strange thing for a rough man, such as I, to aim at. I want to save you pain, _(puts his hand on her shoulder)_ {Kate.} Pain! I thought so. {Dormer.} If it had pleased Heaven to give me that one woman for a wife, and that woman had borne me a daughter, to that daughter I should have spoken as I speak to you now. {Kate.} _(slowly places her hand in his--with pain)_ Is anyone, who might be dear to me, dead? {Dormer.} No. _(Kate sinks back)_ Some one has returned to life. {Kate.} Can it concern me? {Dormer.} I hope--no! Answer me one question honestly--do you love this young soldier whom I saw here to-day? {Kate.} Suppose I say--"no." {Dormer.} Then I _leave you_ without another word. {Kate.} If I say--"yes?" {Dormer.} Then I deliver to you a message. {Kate.} A message! From whom? {Dormer.} From the one who has returned to life. Yes or No? {Kate.} Heaven help me--I love Eric! "There's a jingle," _(In the distance there is the faint sound of Fel's song, supposed to proceed from the room above through the open window. Dor. crosses at back and listens.)_ "Sun is shining," {Dormer.} What is that? _(crosses behind table to c.)_ {Kate.} _(calmly)_ The child singing. She is happy. Go on--I want the message. _(Dormer takes some papers from pocket-book)_ --"Hear the jingle," {Dormer.} It is here--in writing, _(at bureau)_ {Kate.} Addressed--to whom? "--while you may." {Dormer.} To the woman who loves Eric Thorndyke. {Kate.} I am she--who sends it? "--above her." {Dormer.} The stranger at the White Lion. {Kate.} _(after a pause)_ Who is the stranger at the White Lion? "--lover." {Dormer.} _(L. of table)_ Eric Thorndyke's wife. _(Kate rises slowly, supporting herself upon the table; she and Dor. stand face to face. The song above ceases.)_ {Kate.} Eric--Thorndyke's--wife. Yes? _(falls back into chair)_ {Dormer.} Shall I read the message? {Kate.} If you please. _(Dormer goes up to the bureau, puts on his spectacles and by the light of the lamp arranges his papers.)_ {Dormer.} It is written in French. I have translated it faithfully, _(he places a paper before Kate)_ That is the original.