f pity for
her, if I could have, if I didn't know that any interference would only
make matters worse. And then I thought that it might be only a surface
affair--that after you were gone it would end for her. (_She
sighs--then after a pause._) You'll have to forgive me for speaking to
you so boldly on a delicate subject. But, don't you see, it's for her
sake. I love Eileen. We all do. (_Averting her eyes from his--in a low
voice._) I know how Eileen feels, Mr. Murray. Once--a long time ago--I
suffered as she is suffering--from this same mistake. But I had
resources to fall back upon that Eileen hasn't got--a family who loved
me and understood--friends--so I pulled through. But it spoiled my life
for a long time. (_Looking at him again and forcing a smile._) So I
feel that perhaps I have a right to speak for Eileen who has no one
else.

MURRAY (_huskily--much moved_). Say anything to me you like, Miss
Gilpin.

MISS GILPIN (_after a pause--sadly_). You don't love her--do you?

MURRAY. No--I--I don't believe I've ever thought much of loving
anyone--that way.

MISS GILPIN (_sadly_). Oh, it's too late, I'm afraid. If we had only
had this talk before you had seen her! I meant to talk to you frankly
and if I found out you didn't love Eileen--there was always the forlorn
hope that you might--I was going to tell you not to see her, for her
sake--not to let her face the truth. For I am sure she continued to
hope in spite of everything, and always would--to the end--if she
didn't see you. I was going to implore you to stay away, to write her
letters that would encourage her hope, and in that way she would never
learn the truth. I thought of writing you all this--but--it's so
delicate a matter--I didn't have the courage. (_With intense grief._)
And now Doctor Stanton's decision to send her away makes everything
doubly hard. When she knows _that_--she will throw everything that
holds her to life--out of the window! And think of it--her dying there
alone!

MURRAY (_very pale_). Don't! That shan't happen. I can at least save
her from that. I have money enough--I'll make more--to send her to any
place you think----

MISS GILPIN. That is something--but it doesn't touch the source of her
unhappiness. If there were only some way to make her happy in the
little time that is left to her! She has suffered so much through you.
Oh, Mr. Murray, can't you tell her you love her?

MURRAY (_after a pause--slowly_). But she'll never believ