rs aloud to herself
involuntarily--_ "Thank God!" FLETCHER _continues speech._] Because,
because-- [_A sob comes in his throat._] I can't help it, I still love
his daughter. [_After a long look at_ MARION, _exits._ MARION _has
turned from_ DOUGLAS _and listened to the end of_ FLETCHER'S _speech.
As he goes_, JEANNETTE _involuntarily seizes_ MARION'S _hand._ MARION
_frees herself from_ JEANNETTE _with an encouraging look at her, and
follows_ FLETCHER _out._

MRS. LORRIMER. Well, bad as he is, there is something about that man
that takes right hold of me. [_To_ DAWSON.] It's lucky I've fallen in
love with you, or I might have had one more inning in the divorce
club.

DAWSON. I'm only afraid there's a little danger of you trying it
again, anyway.

MRS. LORRIMER. With _you_? Oh, no! The day we are married I'm going to
begin writing letters to the newspapers in favour of abolishing the
institution.

MARION. [_Enters._ JEANNETTE _goes to her quickly, calm and
hopefully._] Go to him, he is waiting. [JEANNETTE _gives an
exclamation of emotional relief and joy._] Be tactful; he wants to
sail on to-morrow's steamer--don't ... [_Interrupted._

JEANNETTE. I understand--he shall sail alone, if he will only leave
his name behind for my boy.

MARION. That he will do--he said so. [_As_ MARION _turns_, JEANNETTE
_takes her hand and leaves the room._

MRS. LORRIMER. [_Crosses to_ MARION.] Now, Marion, I want you to know
why Douglas came.

DOUGLAS. [_Rises, comes center._] Please-- [_He shakes his head._

DAWSON. But she _must_ know some time.

DOUGLAS. Not before me.

DAWSON. Have you forgotten, Marion, our debt to Fletcher?

MARION. [_Realizes what it is. To_ DOUGLAS.] _You_ would--Oh no,
rather leave the debt with him to repay.

DOUGLAS. Why?

MARION. Because I owe you now more than I can ever repay, for the
wonderful friendship you have given me all my life! I haven't the
right to accept anything more from you.

DOUGLAS. Let me be the judge of that--

MARION. Still, after all that's gone by, you don't hate me?

DOUGLAS. [_Forgetting himself._] Hate you? No. I-- [MARION _crosses to
sofa, sits._ MRS. LORRIMER, _as he begins to speak, has touched_
DAWSON'S _arm meaningly._ DAWSON _moves quickly and softly to_
DOUGLAS, _and, with a quiet, soft, firm touch on his arm, stops him
before he can say "I love you."_

DAWSON. [_Aside to_ DOUGLAS.] Wait--trust to me who love you both, and
wait.

DOUGLAS. [_To_ MARION.]