t, Kate! Roger actually wants me to ask him
to stay in the house.

Mrs. Del.
Idiot! He deserves to lose her.... But your guest!
(Laughs) Poor Madela! How he would upset your nice,
comfortable theories of life! Why, you couldn't hand him a
cup of tea without feeling the planet quake.

Mrs. Tru.
But what are we to do? Kate, you _must_ help me.

Mrs. Del.
I'm going to. You can't tell her father, because Helen
must be persuaded, not opposed. And don't speak about the
money. If she loved a beggar she would trudge barefoot
behind him.

Mrs. Tru. (Despairingly) O, don't I know it?

Mrs. Del.
Now you leave this to me, Madela. I will say a few
things to Helen about meeting Mr. Poe in Europe--and--you
know--

Mrs. Tru. (Kissing her violently) O, Kate! Tell her all--and
more, if necessary! Don't think about your reputation if
you can save Roger's fortune--

Mrs. Del.
Sh!--

(Enter Helen, with wine and a glass)

Mrs. Tru. (Feebly) Thank you, dear, but I'm better now. (Rising)
I'll try to rest. (Goes to door)

Hel. I would see you to your room, mamma, but I'm sure you
would rather have Catherine. (Mrs. Delormis makes no
move to go)

Mrs. Tru.
O, I am quite well--I mean--I need no one--no one at
all! Goodnight, my dears! (Exit)

Hel. (Politely) And is there anything which you must have out
to-night, cousin Catherine?

Mrs. Del.
Sit down, Helen. (Helen takes a chair) You have never
loved me, but I have always had a warm heart for you,
little girl. And you will take a warning from me in good
part, won't you?

Hel. A good warning, yes.

Mrs. Del.
I told you about meeting Mr. Poe last summer in
Normandy. But--I did not tell you how often I met him.
(Helen rises, then Mrs. Delormis rises) Helen, I prove my
love for you by saying what it is so hard to utter to your
pure self. My life has not been--all you would wish it to
be--and Mr. Poe knows more about it than any other man.

Hel. You lie! I have seen his soul!

(She goes to door and opens it for Mrs. Delormis to pass
out. Mrs. Delormis sweeps through with an attempt at
maj