Eric's First Sweetheart, _(moves)_ If
you had told me of the past!

{Eric.} I could not believe in its reality. She
never loved me, Kate--she threw me away like an
old glove or a broken feather. I believed her dead.
Ah, Kate, do you think I would have stolen one look
from you if I hadn't believed myself to be a free
man?

{Kate.} Oh, Eric, Eric!

{Eric.} I had news from a distance that she had
died, a repentant woman. In my dreams I have seen
the grass and the flowers springing up from her
grave.

{Kate.} Oh, Eric, Eric!

{Eric.} _(moves to L., C., a bit)_ What dreams will
haunt me this night--the grave of your life and
mine? _(hand to head)_

{Kate.} Dreams that picture despair and parting.
_(walks up and returns)_

{Eric.} _(advances L., rousing himself)_ Tell me
where to turn, where to go. If I die, what then?
If I live, what then? I'll do anything you bid me,
_(returns to her)_ but if you shrink from me at parting
it is more than I can bear, only look at me. One
last look--a look for me to cherish. Kate! _(advancing,
Moves down, back to audience.)_

{Kate.} _(rises)_ No, no! _(he covers his eyes with
his hand--there is a pause)_ Let me see your face,
Eric _(he turns, they look each other in the face--
pityingly)_ Trouble makes you pale. Oh, how selfish
I am. Poor Eric!

{Eric.} I am thinking of the day we first met!
How bright! And now, what a parting!

{Kate.} Hush! I shall go mad if you make me
think. _(The clock chimes again--starting)_ Look at
the hour--Good-night! _(goes R., a little)_

_(He turns to go--stops.)_

{Eric.} _(holds out his hand)_ Touch my hand but
once.

{Kate.} _(looking at him)_ We are suffering so much
together, aren't we? I don't know what I've said to
you, but it is no fault of yours, dear. We were
wedded in happiness--we are divorced in grief. Yes
--I will just take your hand.

_(Without approaching too nearly, she lays her hand
in his--their eyes meet.)_

{Eric.} Oh, Kate, the future!
_(With a cry they go to each other, but as Eric is
about to press his lips to hers, she recoils with
horror.)_

{Kate.} Oh, no! I, that have prayed God to make
me good all my life, what should I be if you kissed
me now?