real surprise at what circumstances
revealed to you! I'd die sooner than bring the slightest shadow of a
scandal on her, and I've hugged my secret tight. Have you any idea what
such a love means? How it grows and grows, its strength shut in, held
back, doubling and redoubling its powers!--its ideality increasing, the
passion _suppressed_, locked up! Good God! I tremble sometimes when I
think--suppose some day it should burst out, _break_ my control, MASTER
ME! [_A pause._] And here, now, I've told _you_; I'm sorry, but I had to
for _her_ sake again. Will you help me keep my secret?

MISS GODESBY. [_After a second's pause._] Yes, because I believe you.

WARDEN. And Mrs. Sterling?

MISS GODESBY. [_Slowly, with sincere meaning._] I envy her!

[_Her voice breaks and she turns away from him._

WARDEN. No one is to know I indorse Sterling's note?

MISS GODESBY. You needn't sign the note; my brother'd have to see it.
I'll take your word for the indorsement.

[_She offers him her hand. They shake hands._

WARDEN. What a brick you are! You know you don't do yourself anything
like justice in the world!

[GODESBY _reenters Left and after him a_ MAN SERVANT _in ordinary
clothes, who passes through the archway at back Centre._

GODESBY. Ready!

WARDEN. [_Aside to her._] You can promise his silence about Sterling?

MISS GODESBY. Oh, yes, he's absolutely dependent upon me.

WARDEN. Thank you.

MISS GODESBY. [_To_ NED _with a forced gaiety._] Good-by!

WARDEN. [_Again shaking her hand_] Good-by.

[_He looks his thanks at her._

GODESBY. Well? What did you do?

MISS GODESBY. [_As they go._] Don't worry; I've taken care of myself for
many years, and I still feel up to it!

[_They go out Left and at the same time the_ SERVANT _enters from the
archway at back Centre carrying some fire logs in his arms. This_
SERVANT _speaks with a slight French accent. As he reaches the house,_
WARDEN _stops him with a question, and the_ GODESBYS' _sleigh-bells
start up and quickly die away. The sun begins to set._

WARDEN Have you an empty sitting room?

SERVANT. Yes, sair.

WARDEN Warm?

SERVANT. I will soon arrange a fire.

WARDEN I wish you would, please.

SERVANT. Ze big room for ze breakfast is altogether ready and warm; you
will be able to go in there now.

WARDEN. No, that wouldn't do. It's all right out here for _me_, only I
am expecting a lady.

[_Sleigh-bells are heard in the distance, coming quickly nearer._