r) for his sake.

JUDITH. I can't. You must--

RICHARD (folding her in his arms with an impulse of compassion for her
distress). My poor girl!

Judith, with a sudden effort, throws her arms round him; kisses him;
and swoons away, dropping from his arms to the ground as if the kiss
had killed her.

RICHARD (going quickly to the sergeant). Now, Sergeant: quick, before
she comes to. The handcuffs. (He puts out his hands.)

SERGEANT (pocketing them). Never mind, sir: I'll trust you. You're a
game one. You ought to a bin a soldier, sir. Between them two, please.
(The soldiers place themselves one before Richard and one behind him.
The sergeant opens the door.)

RICHARD (taking a last look round him). Goodbye, wife: goodbye, home.
Muffle the drums, and quick march!

The sergeant signs to the leading soldier to march. They file out
quickly.

* * * * *

When Anderson returns from Mrs. Dudgeon's he is astonished to find the
room apparently empty and almost in darkness except for the glow from
the fire; for one of the candles has burnt out, and the other is at its
last flicker.

ANDERSON. Why, what on earth--? (Calling) Judith, Judith! (He listens:
there is no answer.) Hm! (He goes to the cupboard; takes a candle from
the drawer; lights it at the flicker of the expiring one on the table;
and looks wonderingly at the untasted meal by its light. Then he sticks
it in the candlestick; takes off his hat; and scratches his head, much
puzzled. This action causes him to look at the floor for the first
time; and there he sees Judith lying motionless with her eyes closed.
He runs to her and stoops beside her, lifting her head.) Judith.

JUDITH (waking; for her swoon has passed into the sleep of exhaustion
after suffering). Yes. Did you call? What's the matter?

ANDERSON. I've just come in and found you lying here with the candles
burnt out and the tea poured out and cold. What has happened?

JUDITH (still astray). I don't know. Have I been asleep? I suppose--
(she stops blankly) I don't know.

ANDERSON (groaning). Heaven forgive me, I left you alone with that
scoundrel. (Judith remembers. With an agonized cry, she clutches his
shoulders and drags herself to her feet as he rises with her. He clasps
her tenderly in his arms.) My poor pet!

JUDITH (frantically clinging to him). What shall I do? Oh my God, what
shall I do?

ANDERSON. Never mind, never mind, my dearest dear: it was my fault.
Come: