Martin (_bitterly_) What have you made of it? Ruth. Oh, in the end it comes to this. Could it have come to any other thing? Martin. We might have had this time together, Ruth. Some sort of happiness, some little sort. Ruth. I've had some happiness with him. The sort of happiness you have when you're asleep. I loved him in my sleep, and in my dreams he seemed a proper man to love. But you--you've had no happiness. You have been lonely, Martin, lonely and cold and hungry. You should have had me working with you all this while. I've been a traitor to you in my sleep. But now--now I am awake and in the death to which they'll make you go, you shall be stainless to the end. And in their hearts you'll live again--the man who planned and did and died upon a gallows for the people's sake. I will keep you pure for that, my Martin. I----- Guy (_from fire_). I am being very patient, Ruth. Ruth (_to Martin, not turning_). You see, I've had my happiness, so it is right that I should pay. (_She turns to Guy._) Guy. So? You have finished your farewell? Ruth. Yes, Guy, it is all over now. Guy (_suddenly ferocious_). Then come here, Ruth. Come here and scream. Scream loudly, Ruth, or I shall cheat the hangman of his prey before they drag me off. Ruth (_between them_) You shall not touch him, Guy. A fettered man. Guy. Shan't! Shall I not? Come to me, Ruth, I tell you. Come away. I'm master here. Ruth. Yes. You are master here where your father was. And if you die, your father would be master still. Guy. You are standing in my way. Ruth. Your father's merciful and you--you shall not have your vengeance, Guy. The hard, hard laws will take revenge and men will pay in blood and tears and life for what they've done to-night. You shall not make the women pay in agony. (_She takes pistol from table and points._) You shall not starve the valley, Guy. Guy. So. That is what you mean. The pistol's loaded, and your aim is true. (_He comes round table._) Ruth. I do not shake with hunger, Guy. Guy. Not by my death nor by a hundred deaths of such as me will you delay the spread of factories. They will go on--go on--I may not see it, but---- (_He leaps._) Ruth. You will not see it, Guy. (_She fires._) And I--I only see the valley here and you who would be master of their lives. Guy (_falling_). You--you've got me, Ruth. Ruth (_dropping pistol_). The plans. The plans. (_She burns plans in fire._) Guy. Ruth! Ruth. Yes. (_By him._) I have killed the man I loved. Lest he became the beast I'd hate. Martin. Ruth! For God's sake, loose my hands. Ruth (_looking at Guy_). Good-bye, Martin. They will be coming for me now. (_Captain Lascelles, Ephraim and John are seen in the doorway._) CURTAIN. ZACK CHARACTERS. Paul Munning. Zachariah Munning. Joe Wrigley. James Abbott. Thomas Mowatt Harry Shoebridge Mrs. Munning. Virginia Cavender. Martha Wrigley. Sally Teale Act I.--_Mrs. Munnings Parlour--an afternoon in early June_.