MISS L. When did you write this? STONOR. Just before you came in--when----(_He glances at the door._) MISS L. Ah! It must have pleased Jean--that message. (_Offers him back the paper._) (STONOR _astonished at her yielding it up so lightly, and remembering_ JEAN _had not so much as read it. He throws himself heavily into a chair and drops his head in his hands._) MISS L. I could drive a hard-and-fast bargain with you, but I think I won't. If _both_ love and ambition urge you on, perhaps----(_She gazes at the slack, hopeless figure with its sudden look of age--goes over silently and stands by his side._) After all, life hasn't been quite fair to you---- (_He raises his heavy eyes._) You fall out of one ardent woman's dreams into another's. STONOR. You may as well tell me--do you mean to----? MISS L. To keep you and her apart? No. STONOR (_for the first time tears come into his eyes. After a moment he holds out his hand_). What can I do for you? (MISS LEVERING _shakes her head--speechless._) STONOR. For the real you. Not the Reformer, or the would-be politician--for the woman I so unwillingly hurt. (_As she turns away, struggling with her feeling, he lays a detaining hand on her arm._) You may not believe it, but now that I understand, there is almost nothing I wouldn't do to right that old wrong. MISS L. There's nothing to be done. You can never give me back my child. STONOR (_at the anguish in_ VIDA'S _face his own has changed_). Will that ghost give you no rest? MISS L. Yes, oh, yes. I see life is nobler than I knew. There is work to do. STONOR (_stopping her as she goes towards the folding doors_). Why should you think that it's only you, these ten years have taught something to? Why not give even a man credit for a willingness to learn something of life, and for being sorry--profoundly sorry--for the pain his instruction has cost others? You seem to think I've taken it all quite lightly. That's not fair. All my life, ever since you disappeared, the thought of you has hurt. I would give anything I possess to know you--were happy again. MISS L. Oh, happiness! STONOR (_significantly_). Why shouldn't you find it still. MISS L. (_stares an instant_). I see! She couldn't help telling about Allen Trent--Lady John couldn't. STONOR. You're one of the people the years have not taken from, but given more to. You are more than ever.... You haven't lost your beauty.