?

MISS GILPIN (_stunned by being thus defiantly confronted--stammeringly_).
Mr. Murray! I--I--how can you ask----

MURRAY (_quickly_). Eileen has a right to know. She loves me--and
I--I--love her! (_He holds her eyes and speaks with a passion of
sincerity that compels belief._) I love her, do you hear?

MISS GILPIN (_falteringly_). You--love--Eileen?

MURRAY. Yes! I do! (_Entreatingly._) So--tell her--won't you?

MISS GILPIN (_swallowing hard, her eyes full of pity and sorrow fixed
on_ Eileen). Yes--Eileen--it's true. (_She turns away slowly towards
the door._)

EILEEN (_with a little cry of alarmed concern, stretches out her hands
to_ Murray _protectingly_). Poor Stephen--dear! (_He grasps her hands
and kisses them._)

MISS GILPIN (_in a low voice_). Mr. Murray. May I speak to you for a
moment?

MURRAY (_with a look of questioning defiance at her_). Certainly.

MISS GILPIN (_turns to_ Eileen _with a forced smile_). I won't steal
him away for more than a moment, Eileen. (Eileen _smiles happily._)

MURRAY (_follows_ Miss Gilpin _into the room. She leads him to the far
end of the room near the door to the hall, after shutting the porch
door carefully behind him. He looks at her defiantly_). Well?

MISS GILPIN (_in low agitated tones_). What has happened? What is the
meaning--I feel as if I may have done a great wrong to myself--to
you--to her--by that lie. And yet--something impelled me.

MURRAY (_moved_). Don't regret it, Miss Gilpin! It has saved her--us.
Oh, how can I explain what happened? I suddenly saw--how beautiful and
sweet and good she is--how I couldn't bear the thought of life without
her--her love---- That's all. (_Determinedly._) She must marry me at
once and I will take her away--the far West--any place Stanton thinks
can help. And she can take care of me--as she thinks--and I know she
will grow well as I seem to grow well. Oh Miss Gilpin, don't you see?
No half and half measures--no promises--no conditional engagements--can
help us--help her. We love too much! (_Fiercely, as if defying her._)
But we'll win together. We can! We must! There are things your doctors
cannot value--cannot know the strength of! (_Exultantly._) You'll see!
I'll make Eileen get well, I tell you! Happiness will cure! Love is
stronger than---- (_He suddenly breaks down before the pitying negation
she cannot keep from her eyes. He sinks on a chair, shoulders bowed,
face hidden in his hands, with a groan of despair._) Oh