ve in. _(she holds out her
hand to him)_ Thank you for the past. Good-bye.

{Gil.} _(R. C., falteringly)_ If I come back--rich--
in a year, would there be any chance for me?

{Kate.} _(in a whisper)_ No. _(crosses to R.)_

{Gil.} Good-bye, dear Squire Kate, _(goes to her)_

{Kate.} Good-bye, old friend Gilbert, _(they shake
hands)_

_(She sits on garden seat, thoughtfully. Takes small
purse from her pocket, looks at wedding ring in
it, and kisses it. Gil. goes quickly up stage, then
turns and looks at her; after a moment he comes
softly, unperceived, to C.)_

{Gil.} _(quietly)_ Kate.

{Kate.} _(rising with a start)_ Eric!

{Gil.} Oh!

{Kate.} _(seeing Gil.)_ You!--why have you come
back? _(reseating herself)_

{Gil.} _(bitterly)_ Eric! Eric! The young soldier
who is privileged to wind the apron strings round
his neck--who lolls away his leisure here with his
feet higher than his head, and a cigar between his
teeth.

{Kate.} _(confused)_ Don't heed me--I don't know
what I have said!

{Gil.} Said! Called me by another man's name.
Oh, I didn't mean to trap you.

{Kate.} _(rising)_ Trap! _(takes up key-basket)_

{Gil.} I beg your pardon, _(meekly)_ but it was
concerning this very Mr. Thorndyke that I returned
to speak to you.

{Kate.} I won't hear you. I'm going indoors.

{Gil.} _(calmly)_ I won't let you. _(standing before
her)_

{Kate.} You know what you are here?

{Gil.} Is it mistress and servant?

{Kate.} I was your mistress--you are my discharged
servant.

{Gil.} Humbly, then, as an old servant, I ask you
to consider what this Mr. Thorndyke really is.

{Kate.} _(coldly)_ A gentleman and a soldier.

{Gil.} Not a gentleman, because he's a soldier--
what does he do here? _(pause)_

{Kate.} We are friends.

{Gil.} They don't say that in the parlour of the
White Lion.

{Kate.} Oh! Do they dare--?

{Gil.} Oh, yes, they dare.

{Kate.} The idlers in a pot-house malign the
woman out of whose land they get the very crust
they eat. _(covers her face with her hands and sits
on garden seat)_ How hard! How cruel!

{Gil.} _(earnestly)_ I have stopped their tongues
when I have been by. I have always said--

{Kate.} _(raisin