{Kate.} Guilt! It's not true! Parson, I am
unhappy, with a life wasted, with hope crushed out
of me, but not guilty yet. I am this man's wife in
the sight of heaven, married a year ago at God's altar,
prayed over and blessed by a priest of your church,
to be divorced by the cruel snare which made you its
mouthpiece. Parson, I am desperate and weak, but
not guilty yet!

{Dormer.} Kate! Kate! look in my eyes--is this
the truth?

{Kate.} _(clinging to Eric)_ As true as that at
this moment, for the first time in my life, I am in
danger!

_(Eric leads her to chair R., she sits. The village
crowd, headed by Christiana, Izod, Gunnion, and
Felicity, appear at door L., Christiana triumphant.
Dormer faces the crowd.)_

{Dormer.} Friends, Market-Sinfield people, _(laying
his hand on Chris's, arm)_ you've been told by
this good creature here that I've a few words to speak
to you. Very well, this is my text. Beware of Tale
Bearers! They destroy the simplicity of such natures
as yours; they feed the bitterness of such a nature as
mine. I entreat you, firstly, to believe nothing ill
against those you hate, and you'll grow to love them;
secondly, to believe nothing ill against those you love,
and you'll love them doubly. Lastly, whatever you
think, whatever you do, to pity this poor lady
_(pointing to Kate)_ who is in some trouble at leaving the
place where she was born. Go! _(turns down C.)_

_(Chris, snatches her arm from Dormer with a bitter
look. The crowd makes a movement to go, when
Gil forces his way through and comes to Dor. L.
of him.)_

{Gil.} _(aside to Dormer)_ Parson, you're wanted
up yonder!

{Dormer.} What is it?

_(Gil. whispers a few words in Dormer's ear, and
falls back. Dormer raises his hand to stop the
crowd.)_

{Dormer.} _(emphatically)_ Stay! before you go
I'll tell you why the Squire leaves Market-Sinfield.
_(goes a little to R., C.)_

{Kate.} _(rises and goes up behind table--to
Dormer)_ Parson! No! _(goes down on Dormer's L.)_

{Dormer.} _(not heeding Kate)_ She is going to be
the wife of that young man there, our neighbor
Thorndyke.

{Crowd.} What! Married!

{Dormer.} She is going to be married to him in
your presence, in my chur