ce bound to me, you'd love me again--you
can't change like that over night.

MARION. If yesterday had left any love in my heart for you, you would
have destroyed it by what you have done to-day.

MRS. WOLTON. [_Who has gained control of herself._] But I don't
understand how it was his money--

DAWSON. [_Interrupts._] At the time of your husband's death a large
sum of money was needed to keep his wrong-doing from being made
public. I took Fletcher into my confidence, and he lent us this sum.

MARION. You should have _told_ me.

DAWSON. I wanted to save you.

MARION. No! no! It was placing me in a terribly false position. It was
placing all of us! Well, _I_ take the debt now on _my_ shoulders!
Between us three we will manage to pay it up in time--I am ready to
give up the rest of my life to it. [_Crosses to_ FLETCHER.] Don't be
afraid, you will be paid!

FLETCHER. And you still persist in your refusal to marry me?

MARION. Yes! Yes! Yes!! A thousand times now more than ever.

FLETCHER. And do you think all those years you are trying to scrape up
the money, I'll hold my tongue? I don't care about the money, I only
care about you.--If I can't have you, do you think I'm going to accept
the disgrace you helped heap upon me yesterday? Not I, if I know it!
Throw me over, and I'll make public your father's record--every
dishonest bit of it! [_Strikes table._

MRS. WOLTON. [_Cries out._] No! No! [_Crosses to_ DAWSON.

DAWSON. You dare threaten?

MARION. No, no! He can't mean it.

MRS. WOLTON. [_Taking_ DAWSON'S _arm._] No, no! He wouldn't bring this
disgrace upon us! What good would it do him?

FLETCHER. Then persuade her to marry me.

DAWSON. No. Rather the disgrace!

MARION. [_To_ FLETCHER.] I never thought I would humble myself before
you, but I do, now, and I beg you, for the love you say you have for
me, spare the name of a man, who at least never harmed you! Don't
dishonour my father's memory. Isn't it enough revenge for you that my
mother and I know it! [_With tears._ FLETCHER _is a little affected,
but_ DAWSON _does not see this, and interrupts. He pulls_ MARION _away
from before_ FLETCHER.

DAWSON. No--I won't have you pleading to him! [_Places her to left
and_ Marion _puts arms about her mother._

FLETCHER. I know who I have to thank for all this--Rhodes!

MARION. There is no need to mention his name. [_Arms about her
mother._

FLETCHER. Isn't there! It was he who brought Jeannette here--it was