Ruth. I went to save your life from him. I heard him speak in here, last night, when you and Mr. Heppenstall had gone in there, and he--he threatened and---- Guy. Threatened! He! And if he did, do you imagine it a woman's job to guard my life? Ruth. He threatened and he meant to do. Guy. And what had you to do with him? Ruth. That is all over now. Guy. It may be, but it has left its mark. Why did you go to him? Ruth. I went because of what is past. Before I knew you, Guy, I knew him and---- Guy. You went to beg my life. From him, your lover, Martin Kelsall! Ruth. Yes. He was my lover once. Guy. A fine strong lover for you, wife of mine. A brave, grand lover, Ruth. Ruth. Oh, you outfaced him in the quarry there. I saw the fear he had for you. Guy. The starveling rat. Ruth. Yes, starveling and a coward when he met you face to face, you with your strength and he an ill and starving man. Maybe it's easy for a strong man to be brave, but, in the end, he won. His starveling brain had made a plan. His---- Guy. Damn him. Do you defend him? Ruth. No, Guy, I don't defend. I prove him dangerous. I prove that when I went, I went with reason. I prove that if he fooled me there, he fooled you here. The factory is burnt. Guy. I am not talking of the factory just now. It's you I'm talking of. You say you prove him dangerous. You do. You say he fooled you there, me here. I am not certain that he did not fool us both at once, up there. Ruth. Guy! But I told you. Guy. What? Ruth. You came in time. Guy. In time for what? I want to know. It seems to me that you were ready---- Ruth. Yes. I was ready, ready then and there to save your life. Guy. At the price------? Ruth. To save your life. You see, I loved you, Guy. Guy. You loved me! Ruth. Could I have proved it more? Guy. There is a price which no man pays for life. You got his pistol from him. How? Ruth. By promising. And then you came. Guy, Guy, I loved you and I wanted you to live. Guy. And you? Ruth. The quarry cliff is steep. I should have died. Guy. Come here, Ruth. Look at me. Look into my eyes and tell me that again. (_She comes to him._) Ruth. I should have died. Death's easy, Guy. Guy. Yes. I believe you now. (_From her._) By heaven, what a fool you are. Ruth. A loving fool, then, Guy. Guy, A fool in love's the worst of fools. There, there it's over, Ruth. But Kelsall? Yes, I've got Kelsall. Kelsall shall pay for this. Ruth. They'll hang him, Guy? Guy. Oh yes, they'll hang what's left. Ruth. What's left? Guy. When I have done with Martin Kelsall, the gallows will be welcome to the rest. Ruth. Guy, you---- Guy. Be careful, Ruth, or you will have me doubting you again. Ruth. And there's my father, Guy. Is he to hang as well? Guy. You come of a race of fools. Ruth. I believe that you can save him, Guy. For my sake, won't you let that old man live. My father, Guy? Your father's friend when they were young together.