{Eric.} Oh, Kate!

{Kate.} Go, go. Eric, you love me too well for
that, don't you?

{Eric.} Heaven give me strength, yes!

_(The door L., opens, and Gilbert appears with a
fixed and determined look, carrying his gun.)_

{Gil.} _(L.)_ Mr. Thorndyke! _(at door)_

{Eric.} _(c. calmly)_ Well, sir. _(a pause)_

{Kate.} Why have you come back to the house?

{Gil.} _(puts hat on chair and shuts door)_ I have
not left the house. I come for an answer to my
letter.

{Kate.} _(putting her hand to her head)_ Your letter?
_(the letter lies unopened upon the table, Kate
sees it)_ Oh, there it is, unopened.

_(Gil. walks firmly into the room, and points towards
the letter.)_

{Gil.} Read it, please, _(down L. C.)_

_(Kate opens the letter, draws her hands across her
eyes and reads, sitting R., of table.)_

{Kate.} _(reading)_ "Squire Kate--I will be satisfied
that this Thorndyke's name is not to blacken
yours in the mouths of the people of Market-Sinfield.
I shall remain concealed in this house till I can
speak to you alone. Remember--my love makes me
desperate--one more harsh word from you may bring
mischief to another. Gilbert." Mischief to another?

{Eric.} _(C. slowly takes the letter from Kate)_
What gives you a right to control this lady?

{Gil.} Her loneliness--my love. I was born and
reared on these lands--we plucked wild flowers
together, as children.

{Eric.} Are you her guardian, now that she is a
woman?

{Gil.} I am--and of any weak soul in peril.

{Kate.} _(rises)_ What do you want of me?

{Gil.} Nothing; because I am face to face with _him_.

{Eric.} Quickly, then, sir, your business with me?
_(throws paper down)_

{Gil.} Mr. Thorndyke, you, who are supposed to
be a sunshine acquaintance of our Squire's, are found
here at dead of night, in the house of one whom all
honest folks know as _Miss_ Verity.

{Eric.} Well, sir?

{Gil.} _(pointing to Kate)_ I can't--I won't believe
but that that lady is good and pure. You either
have a sacred right here, or you are an intruder and
worse than a thief. You have to answer for this
to me.

{Eric.} Sir, you are in the presence of a sorrow too
profound to be disturbed by sharp questions and hot