{Gil.} _(pointing to Kate)_ I can't--I won't believe but that that lady is good and pure. You either have a sacred right here, or you are an intruder and worse than a thief. You have to answer for this to me. {Eric.} Sir, you are in the presence of a sorrow too profound to be disturbed by sharp questions and hot answers. In justice to this lady, we may meet to-morrow. {Gil.} Not to-morrow, when I trap my game to-night. {Eric.} _(indignantly)_ Ah! {Kate.} Gilbert, you used to be so gentle! _(Eric restrains her)_ {Gil.} Pardon me, Squire, my reckoning is with him. Mr. Thorndyke, you have robbed me of a love which I have laboured for for years. Ceaseless yearning--heart-sickness--hope raised and hope deferred--sleep without rest--thirst for which there is no drink. That is my account. What is yours? I find you now where you can have no right but the sacred one of husband. _(Eric and Kate exchange a look--he comes nearer to Eric and looks in his face)_ Is that lady your wife? {Eric.} You approach me, sir, with the light of a murderer in your eyes, and carrying a weapon. Your very tone, sir, is a sacrilege. I tell you, man, there is a grief so deep that it is holy before Heaven. {Gil.} Is that lady your wife? {Kate.} _(advancing)_ Gilbert, you shall know--! {Eric.} _(stopping her)_ Hush! _(to Gil.)_ Do you threaten me? {Gil.} I am the protector of a helpless woman-- I do. {Eric.} You are a coward. {Gil.} _(stamping his foot)_ Is that lady your wife? {Eric.} Then, sir, in the sight of heaven, yes. {Gil.} _(madly)_ In the sight of the law? {Eric.} No. {Gil.} Heaven forgive you--stand back! _(He raises his gun. Kate rushes forward with a cry, and catches his uplifted arm.)_ {Kate.} Gilbert! Gilbert! The father of my child! _(music.)_ _(She falls in a swoon at his feet. Gil. with a cry drops his gun, and looks down with horror upon Kate. Eric kneels beside her, as the curtain falls quickly.)_ QUICK ACT DROP. _(Picture--Eric supporting Kate's head, L., of her, {Gil.} looking on dumbfounded.)_ END OF ACT II. ACT III. -- GOOD-BYE. Scene:--The same as in Act II. Daylight. The curtains over the window recesses are drawn back. The fire is burning brightly. It is afternoon. The sun sets as the act advances. All lights full. Bed lime R., for fire. Red lime on slot behind cloth for sun. Amber line behind transparent cloth R. Ditto L., to be worked on at cue. Music for Act drop. Clear lamp and book from table, lamp from bureau, and shut it _(bureau)_ up. L. window open. Laughter and voices off L. as curtain rises, till Christie gets to window, then a Voice. {Voice.} There's Christie! _(she shuts window)_ Ah, we're not good enough for Christie! _(murmurs from All)_