I understand that I’ve condoned all your offences towards me, and I’m helpless now to do anything. So you need have no fear that I shall interfere with you in any way. [_He turns round and looks at her. He takes in at last what she is saying._] But there’s no reason that I should expose myself any longer to a humiliation that I found unbearable. I’ve come to tell you that now I’ve done all you exacted I’m going to leave you, this time for good. I’m starting early to-morrow morning for the Continent with my friend Barbara Herbert, and I shall not return. You can devise whatever explanation you think necessary, and you may be quite sure I shan’t contradict it. I shall be gone by the time you get up. You will find in my room all the trinkets you’ve given me. I wish to take nothing with me that I have received from you. GEORGE WINTER. [_With clenched teeth._] Are you leaving your clothes? CATHERINE. [_With a shrug of the shoulders._] I think there is nothing more to be said. Good-bye. I trust you to leave me in peace. I promise on my side to do nothing that can inconvenience you. [_She waits for a moment to see if he has anything further to say, but as he remains silent she goes towards the door. As she is about to go out he bursts into a peal of laughter. She stops with a start and looks at him. His laughter grows, peal upon peal. It becomes wild and shrill and hysterical. He bellows with laughter. Already half frightened, not understanding_, CATHERINE _makes a step or two back into the room_. CATHERINE. What’s the matter? George, George! [_He laughs still, and then suddenly breaks into a sob. He gives way entirely, and bursts into uncontrolled weeping._ CATHERINE. [_Coming down to him._] George, what is it? GEORGE WINTER. For God’s sake give me a drink. [_She hurries to the half-empty bottle of champagne on the table and pours out a glass of wine. He drinks it at a gulp._ GEORGE WINTER. [_Recovering himself._] That’s rich, that is. Rich. [_Again he bursts into laughter._ CATHERINE. What is it, George? It’s not because I’m going away? GEORGE WINTER. Your going away doesn’t matter a damn to me. It means that I’ve been done in the eye. Those swindling rogues, the Lewishams, have got me at last. That article’s done the trick and I’m dished. You can go your own way now, Kate. You’ve got the better of me after all. CATHERINE. I don’t understand. GEORGE WINTER. James Ford knows that the bonds have gone. And he’s going to Scotland Yard. CATHERINE. Oh! And father? GEORGE WINTER. Oh, I can’t worry about your father now. He must look after his own skin. I’ve got enough to do to think of myself. CATHERINE. What shall I do? GEORGE WINTER.