ere is in your
power, it would save you from being utterly contemptible in my eyes!

FLETCHER. _You_ say that!!!

MARION. Yes,--will you do what I ask?

FLETCHER. [_Angry._] No!

MARION. [_Angry._] Then I do _right_ to despise you!

FLETCHER. No, because it is _my love_ for _you_ that keeps me back.
[MARION _laughs a bitter, satirical laugh_.] I will marry only _you_.

MARION. Me! Ha! [_Laughs again._

FLETCHER. [_Angrily--close to her._] And I _will_ marry you.

MARION. No, you'll not! [_Faces him._

FLETCHER. I will _force_ you to marry me.

MARION. How dare you to take that tone with me.

FLETCHER. I dare more than that.

MARION. [_Goes to bell._] Take care, or I'll have the servants turn
you out of the house! [FLETCHER _laughs an ironical laugh._] _Will_
you marry Jeannette Gros!

FLETCHER. [_More angry._] No! [_He follows her._] And I won't leave
this house, either. [_Takes her hand._

MARION. Don't touch me!

FLETCHER. I won't leave the house because it's _mine_. And so will
_you_ be!

MARION. No!

FLETCHER. Yes, you will, because I'll buy you with your father's
reputation!

MARION. With what!

FLETCHER. With your father's good name.

MARION. You--scoundrel.

FLETCHER. We are well mated, for you are the daughter of one! [MARION
_immediately touches the bell, which is heard ringing in the
distance_.] You had better dismiss the servant when he comes; I am
sure you would rather he didn't hear all I have to say.

MARION. [_Almost under her breath._] _You_ cannot injure my father!

FLETCHER. Ask your uncle, Mr. Dawson! [MARION _looks up questioningly,
as if she suddenly remembered something._ SERVANT _enters_.

MARION. Ask Mrs. Wolton to please come here at once.

SERVANT. Yes, m'm. [_Crosses room and exits._

FLETCHER. You remember the night of your fancy-dress ball and your
father's--death-- [_He pauses_--MARION _doesn't answer, but looks
troubled._] He took his life to save it from being--disgraced, because
he was a _thief_!

MARION. Stop! [_She draws herself up and looks_ FLETCHER _in the face.
He stops. She goes to door left and opens it. He goes right. Enter_
MRS. WOLTON, _a little frightened._ MARION _takes her hand and leads
her down stage._ MRS. WOLTON _sees_ FLETCHER, _but does not bow._
FLETCHER _bows._ MARION _takes_ MRS. WOLTON'S _hand and the two women
stand, facing_ FLETCHER _who stands._

MARION. You repeat, if you dare, the vile slander of my father!

MRS. WOLTON