{Kate.} Guilt! It's not true! Parson, I am unhappy, with a life wasted, with hope crushed out of me, but not guilty yet. I am this man's wife in the sight of heaven, married a year ago at God's altar, prayed over and blessed by a priest of your church, to be divorced by the cruel snare which made you its mouthpiece. Parson, I am desperate and weak, but not guilty yet! {Dormer.} Kate! Kate! look in my eyes--is this the truth? {Kate.} _(clinging to Eric)_ As true as that at this moment, for the first time in my life, I am in danger! _(Eric leads her to chair R., she sits. The village crowd, headed by Christiana, Izod, Gunnion, and Felicity, appear at door L., Christiana triumphant. Dormer faces the crowd.)_ {Dormer.} Friends, Market-Sinfield people, _(laying his hand on Chris's, arm)_ you've been told by this good creature here that I've a few words to speak to you. Very well, this is my text. Beware of Tale Bearers! They destroy the simplicity of such natures as yours; they feed the bitterness of such a nature as mine. I entreat you, firstly, to believe nothing ill against those you hate, and you'll grow to love them; secondly, to believe nothing ill against those you love, and you'll love them doubly. Lastly, whatever you think, whatever you do, to pity this poor lady _(pointing to Kate)_ who is in some trouble at leaving the place where she was born. Go! _(turns down C.)_ _(Chris, snatches her arm from Dormer with a bitter look. The crowd makes a movement to go, when Gil forces his way through and comes to Dor. L. of him.)_ {Gil.} _(aside to Dormer)_ Parson, you're wanted up yonder! {Dormer.} What is it? _(Gil. whispers a few words in Dormer's ear, and falls back. Dormer raises his hand to stop the crowd.)_ {Dormer.} _(emphatically)_ Stay! before you go I'll tell you why the Squire leaves Market-Sinfield. _(goes a little to R., C.)_ {Kate.} _(rises and goes up behind table--to Dormer)_ Parson! No! _(goes down on Dormer's L.)_ {Dormer.} _(not heeding Kate)_ She is going to be the wife of that young man there, our neighbor Thorndyke. {Crowd.} What! Married! {Dormer.} She is going to be married to him in your presence, in my church, and by me, before another Sunday passes. _(A cry from the Crowd.)_ But neighbor Thorndyke is off to India for some years with his good wife, on duty to his Queen, and that's why you lose your Squire. Men and women, on your knees to-night, say God bless Squire Kate and her husband, and bring them back to us to Market-Sinfield! _(Another cry from the Crowd.)_ Crowd. Hurrah! {Kate.} _(L. of Dormer--grasping Dormer's arm, aside to him)_ Parson, the woman at the "White Lion!"