g.

THERESE [_hopeless_] You're just like all the others. Now, don't be
miserable. I'm not angry with you; you are doing what I told you we must
do, and you agree. Go, Rene. Say good-bye. Good-bye, Rene.

RENE. Therese!

THERESE [_her nerves on edge_] Everything we can say is useless, and
it'll only torture and humiliate us. We must end this--now--at once.

RENE. I shall always love you, Therese.

THERESE. Yes--exactly--now go.

RENE. Oh, my God!

THERESE. Go.

RENE. I'll go and see my people. They'll never be so cruel--

THERESE. Yes, yes, all right.

RENE. I'll write you.

THERESE. Yes--that's it--you'll write.

RENE. I shall see you again, Therese? [_He goes slowly to the door_]

THERESE [_ashamed for him, covers her face with her hands. Then, all of
a sudden, she bursts out into passionate sobs, having lost all control
of herself, and cries wildly_] Rene!

RENE [_returning, shocked_] Therese! Oh, what is it?

THERESE [_completely at the mercy of her feelings_] Suppose--suppose
after all, we _did_ it? Listen. I love you far more than you know, more
than I have ever let you know. A foolish feeling of self-respect made me
hide a lot from you. Trust me. Trust your future to me. Marry me all the
same. Believe in me. Marry me. You don't know how strong I am and all
the things I can do. I will work, and you will work. You didn't get on
when you were alone, but you will when you have me with you. I'll keep
you brave when things go badly, and I'll be happy with you when they go
right. Rene, I'll be content with so little! The simplest, humblest,
hardest life, until we've made our way together--_together_, Rene, and
conquered a place in the world for ourselves, that we'll owe to no one
but ourselves. Let us have courage--[_At this point she looks at him,
and having looked she ceases to speak_]

RENE. Therese, I'm sure my people will give in.

THERESE [_after a very long silence, inarticulately_] Go, go; poor Rene.
Forget what I said. Good-bye.

RENE. Oh, no! not good-bye. I'll make my father help us.

THERESE [_sharply_] Too late, my friend, I don't want you now.

_She leaves the room. Rene sinks into a chair and covers his
face with his hands._

ACT II

SCENE:--_A sitting-room at the offices of "Woman Free." The
door at the back opens into an entrance hall. The general
editorial office is to the right, Monsieur Nerisse's room to
the left. At the back, also to t