STERLING. _Ever!_

WARDEN. [_Losing his control._] That's a lie!

STERLING. I couldn't believe it, either, when she told me. It was her first word to me to-day. I said, "You are going to divorce me," and she answered, "No."

WARDEN. She's sacrificing herself for some reason--her boy!

STERLING. Never mind, she won't leave me; I have her promise, and I'll win back her love!

WARDEN. You fool! You can't win her back! She would never have loved me if you hadn't disillusioned, _dishonored_ her! I'm not worthy of her, but I'll never dishonor her, and, please G.o.d, never disappoint her, and so I'll keep her love.

STERLING. Well, as to that, she decides to stay, leaving love out of the question.

WARDEN. And you'll accept that sacrifice! You don't even _love_ her.

You're only thinking of _yourself_ now. Love, real love, forgets itself.

You, after having spoilt half her life, are willing to spoil the rest, for _your own sake_!

STERLING. No, for the boy's sake, and her sake--to save a scandal--the world--

[_Interrupted._

WARDEN. [_Beside himself._] Oh, d.a.m.n the world! It's _heaven_ and _h.e.l.l_ you'd better think of. _Scandal!_ It couldn't harm _her_, and the hurt it would do you is a small price to pay. Those whom _G.o.d_ has joined--yes! but it was the devil bound her to you!

STERLING. Here! I've had enough! Look out!

WARDEN. [_Moves toward him._] _You_ look out--you shan't rob her of her happiness. You--a drunkard! A forger! A thief!

STERLING. _I'd keep her now if only to spite you!_

WARDEN. Hah! There spoke the true man in you! Would to heaven the old days of duelling were back!

STERLING. A brave wish, as you know they're not!

WARDEN. They fight in other countries still for their love and honor, and I'm ready here, now, if you are, with any weapons you choose!

[STERLING _sneers._]

Sneer! But will you fight? We'll find a place, and something to fight with, or fists if you'd rather! You wouldn't kill me before I'd got you out of her way for good. Will you fight?

[_Coming closer to him._

STERLING. No!

WARDEN. [_Getting more and more enraged._] If _you lose, you go away_, and set her free of your own will!

STERLING. _No!_

WARDEN. [_Losing entirely his self-control._] What do you want to _make_ you fight--will that?

[_He gives him a stinging blow in the face._

STERLING. Yes!

[_He springs toward_ WARDEN _as_ RUTH _and_ MASON _enter Left. The two men stand rigid_, WARDEN _breathing heavily._

RUTH. Blanche, may I bring in--where's Blanche?

STERLING. I don't know.

MASON. Good morning, gentlemen.

[_There is no response._ WARDEN _is with great difficulty restraining himself. His lips are compressed lightly and his hands clenched._

RUTH. What's the trouble?

STERLING. I have just told Warden my wife's decision not to leave me.

RUTH. [_Showing her relief and satisfaction in her face, turns to_ WARDEN.] You won't try to shake that resolve?

WARDEN. [_Unable to control himself._] But I will! I _will_--I tell you all! I hardly know what I say or do! But look out for me, I'm desperate!

I'm a torrent that's only let loose since yesterday, and now all of a sudden you try to stop me! But it's too late; I've got my impetus; the repressed pa.s.sion of years is behind me; nothing can stop me--and G.o.d keep me from doing the wrong thing! I am determined to clear him out of the way of the happiness of the woman I love. [_To_ RUTH.] Do you mean to say you approve of her decision? [RUTH _turns her head; he turns to_ MASON.] Do _you_?

RUTH. No.

STERLING. [_To_ RUTH, _holding out his hand._] You will stand by me, Aunt Ruth, and together we--

RUTH. [_Interrupting and refusing his hand._] Oh, no.

STERLING. Don't you think I can win her love back?

RUTH. No.

STERLING. Won't you help me try?

RUTH. No. It would be useless.

WARDEN. Come with me to Blanche; I must speak with her.

[WARDEN _and_ RUTH _go out Right._

MASON. [_Alone with_ STERLING.] Go away and make your wife understand you are never coming back.

STERLING. But the loneliness, the misery, away--alone.

MASON. Kill them with hard work; _you have other heavy debts_, you know.

I came to see you about this business of your acknowledgments to Miss G.o.desby and Miss Hunter.

STERLING. Later, later. To-morrow I will decide--