ERNEST

Then I'm disappointed in you.

HELEN

And I in you.

ERNEST

I thought you were sensible.

HELEN

I thought you were honest.

ERNEST

Honest! You accuse me of dishonesty?

HELEN

You don't believe in "half of that gibberish." Yet you are willing to work the Church for our own worldly advantage! You are willing to prost.i.tute the most sacred thing in life!... If that is not dishonest, what is!

ERNEST

And you are the woman I love and want to marry! In all my life I was never accused of dishonesty before.

HELEN

You never tried to marry before. No one is honest about marriage.

ERNEST

I never shall try again. I'm going to Paris to-morrow and I'm going alone.

HELEN

Then do it. Don't threaten it so often--do it.

ERNEST

I shall. And I'll never come back.

HELEN

n.o.body asked you to.

ERNEST

Helen--for the last time--just for my sake--marry me.

HELEN

For the last time--no! no! NO!! I won't be a hypocrite even for your sake.

[_She turns away, he starts off, then stops, rushes over to her._

ERNEST

[_holds out arms_]

I can't. You know it. Without you I'm nothing.

HELEN

[_taking both his hands_]

Without you.... Oh, my dear, my dear.

ERNEST

Forgive me, forgive me.

HELEN

It was all my fault.

ERNEST

No, I was a brute. I'm not worthy of you.