ANN. [_In the same level tones, to her sister now, who otherwise would turn, alarmed, to their father._] And I curse you . . because, we being sisters, I suppose I am much what you were, about to be married; and I think, Sally, you'd have cursed your present self. I could become all that you are and more . . but I don't choose. SARAH. Ann, what is to become of you? CARNABY. Big drops . . big drops! _At this moment_ ABUD _is passing towards the house, his work finished_. ANN. John Abud . . you mean to marry. When you marry . . will you marry me? _A blank silence, into which breaks_ CARNABY'S _sick voice_. CARNABY. Take me indoors. I heard you ask the gardener to marry you. ANN. I asked him. CARNABY. I heard you say that you asked him. Take me in . . but not out of the rain. ANN. Look . . he's straight-limbed and clear eyed . . and I'm a woman. SARAH. Ann, are you mad? ANN. If we two were alone here in this garden and everyone else in the world were dead . . what would you answer? ABUD. [_Still amazed._] Why . . yes. CARNABY. Then that's settled . . pellucid. _He attempts to rise, but staggers backwards and forwards._ SARAH _goes to him alarmed_. SARAH. Papa! . . there's no rain yet. CARNABY. Hush, I'm dead. ANN. [_Her nerves failing her._] Oh . . oh . . oh . . ! SARAH. Abud, don't ever speak of this. ABUD. No, my lady. ANN. [_With a final effort._] I mean it all. Wait three months. CARNABY. Help me up steps . . son-in-law. CARNABY _has started to grope his way indoors. But he reels and falls helpless._ ABUD. I'll carry him. _Throwing down his tools_ ABUD _lifts the frail sick man and carries him towards the house_. SARAH _follows_. ANN. [_Sobbing a little, and weary._] Such a long day it has been . . now ending. _She follows too._ THE FOURTH ACT _The hall at Markswayde is square; in decoration strictly eighteenth century. The floor polished. Then comes six feet of soberly painted wainscot and above the greenish blue and yellowish green wall painted into panels. At intervals are low relief pilasters; the capitals of these are gilded. The ceiling is white and in the centre of it there is a frosted glass dome through which a dull light struggles. Two sides only of the hall are seen._ _In the corner is a hat stand and on it are many cloaks and hats and beneath it several pairs of very muddy boots._ _In the middle of the left hand wall are the double doors of the dining-room led up to by three or four stairs with balusters, and on either side standing against the wall long, formal, straight backed sofas._