ing as I did.

JUDITH. You know you did it for his sake, believing he was a more
worthy man than yourself.

RICHARD (laughing). Oho! No: that's a very pretty reason, I must say;
but I'm not so modest as that. No: it wasn't for his sake.

JUDITH (after a pause, during which she looks shamefacedly at him,
blushing painfully). Was it for my sake?

RICHARD (gallantly). Well, you had a hand in it. It must have been a
little for your sake. You let them take me, at all events.

JUDITH. Oh, do you think I have not been telling myself that all night?
Your death will be at my door. (Impulsively, she gives him her hand,
and adds, with intense earnestness) If I could save you as you saved
him, I would do it, no matter how cruel the death was.

RICHARD (holding her hand and smiling, but keeping her almost at arm's
length). I am very sure I shouldn't let you.

JUDITH. Don't you see that I can save you?

RICHARD. How? By changing clothes with me, eh?

JUDITH (disengaging her hand to touch his lips with it). Don't (meaning
"Don't jest"). No: by telling the Court who you really are.

RICHARD (frowning). No use: they wouldn't spare me; and it would spoil
half of his chance of escaping. They are determined to cow us by making
an example of somebody on that gallows to-day. Well, let us cow them by
showing that we can stand by one another to the death. That is the only
force that can send Burgoyne back across the Atlantic and make America
a nation.

JUDITH (impatiently). Oh, what does all that matter?

RICHARD (laughing). True: what does it matter? what does anything
matter? You see, men have these strange notions, Mrs. Anderson; and
women see the folly of them.

JUDITH. Women have to lose those they love through them.

RICHARD. They can easily get fresh lovers.

JUDITH (revolted). Oh! (Vehemently) Do you realise that you are going
to kill yourself?

RICHARD. The only man I have any right to kill, Mrs. Anderson. Don't be
concerned: no woman will lose her lover through my death. (Smiling)
Bless you, nobody cares for me. Have you heard that my mother is dead?

JUDITH. Dead!

RICHARD. Of heart disease--in the night. Her last word to me was her
curse: I don't think I could have borne her blessing. My other
relatives will not grieve much on my account. Essie will cry for a day
or two; but I have provided for her: I made my own will last night.

JUDITH (stonily, after a moment's silence). And I!

RICHARD (surprised). You?