feared so.

{Dormer.} I am here to render a service to John
Verity's daughter.

{Kate.} Thank you.

{Dormer.} _(stands with his back to fire--the red
glow is upon them)_ People think me a strange man,
but I am strange even to myself when I find my heart
running away with me as it does to-night.

{Kate.} You make me frightened of what you have
to say to me.

{Dormer.} It rests with you whether I shall speak
or hold my tongue.

{Kate.} _(moves front chair R., of table)_ No---say
what you have to say.

{Dormer.} Will you be truthful with me?

{Kate.} What do you mean by that?

{Dormer.} Strange thing for a rough man, such as
I, to aim at. I want to save you pain, _(puts his
hand on her shoulder)_

{Kate.} Pain! I thought so.

{Dormer.} If it had pleased Heaven to give me that
one woman for a wife, and that woman had borne
me a daughter, to that daughter I should have spoken
as I speak to you now.

{Kate.} _(slowly places her hand in his--with pain)_
Is anyone, who might be dear to me, dead?

{Dormer.} No. _(Kate sinks back)_ Some one has
returned to life.

{Kate.} Can it concern me?

{Dormer.} I hope--no! Answer me one question
honestly--do you love this young soldier whom I saw
here to-day?

{Kate.} Suppose I say--"no."

{Dormer.} Then I _leave you_ without another word.

{Kate.} If I say--"yes?"

{Dormer.} Then I deliver to you a message.

{Kate.} A message! From whom?

{Dormer.} From the one who has returned to life.
Yes or No?

{Kate.} Heaven help me--I love Eric!

"There's a jingle,"
_(In the distance there is the faint sound of Fel's
song, supposed to proceed from the room above
through the open window. Dor. crosses at back
and listens.)_

"Sun is shining,"

{Dormer.} What is that? _(crosses behind table
to c.)_

{Kate.} _(calmly)_ The child singing. She is happy.
Go on--I want the message. _(Dormer takes some
papers from pocket-book)_

--"Hear the jingle,"

{Dormer.} It is here--in writing, _(at bureau)_

{Kate.} Addressed--to whom?

"--while you may."

{Dormer.} To the woman who loves Eric Thorndyke.

{Kate.} I am she--who sends it?

"--above her."

{Dormer.} The stranger