out of the envelope._

BLANCHE. [_Going to him._] _You don't realize_ why I've told you all
this!

STERLING. [_Counting out the tablets._] One, two. To give me hope! To
give me hope!

[_He empties the other ten tablets into the envelope, twists it up, and
throws it in the fireplace._

BLANCHE. No, no, just the opposite!

STERLING. Then you've defeated your end, dear; you will stay here with
me.

BLANCHE. [_Trying to make him realize the exact position._] Opposite you
at the table, receiving our friends, keeping up appearances, yes--but
nearer to you than that? No! Never!

STERLING. But you _will_ stay?

[LEONARD _enters from Left._

LEONARD. Miss Godesby, Mr. Warden.

[_They enter._

[_All greet each other._ WARDEN _nods stiffly to_ STERLING, _barely
acknowledging his greeting._

MISS GODESBY. [_To_ STERLING, _purposely speaking with good-humored
raillery to relieve the tension of the situation._] Well, you're a nice
lot, aren't you?

STERLING. I'm so ashamed! I'm so ashamed!

MISS GODESBY. Oh, never mind that now.

BLANCHE. I have no words to thank you with.

MISS GODESBY. Oh, that's all right. The truth is, I've made Warden bring
me here, Sterling, for a bit of business. I had an emotional moment
yesterday and went off my head a bit. I stand by what I said as to
keeping quiet, but--well, I'm like any other old maid who hates dust on
her mantelpiece--I'm fidgety not to make some sort of a bluff at putting
this thing on a business basis.

WARDEN. Excuse me, Miss Godesby, I think Sterling ought to know the
truth.

STERLING. _Now_ what?

MISS GODESBY. Well, the truth is, my fool of a brother has kicked up an
infernal row, and refuses to hold his tongue.

STERLING. Then I'm ruined after all!

MISS GODESBY. Wait, I've left him with Mr. Mason. I feel certain I can
assure his silence if I can only show him some sort of an agreement to
pay, an acknowledgment of the--the--affair, signed and sealed.

BLANCHE. Signed by whom?

MISS GODESBY. Your husband and yourself will do.

STERLING. But both names are worthless.

MISS GODESBY. Not as a point of honor.

STERLING. Ah! no, not my wife's.

MISS GODESBY. Nor yours to me. Come along!

[_She goes to the table with_ STERLING, _and unfolding a paper gives it
to him. He signs it._

WARDEN. [_Aside to_ BLANCHE, _apologizing for his presence._] She made
me come--she wouldn't come alone; otherwise I should have waited till
you sent for me.

BLANC