e that fighting had begun.
And the whole thing broke out--regular riot--as if they could have
killed him. Some one tried to drag him down by the coat-tails, but
he shook him off, and went on. Then he stopped dead and walked out,
and the noise dropped like a stone. The whole thing didn't last five
minutes. It was fine, Mrs. More; like--like lava; he was the only
cool person there. I wouldn't have missed it for anything--it was
grand!

MORE has appeared on the terrace, behind STEEL.

KATHERINE. Good-night, Mr. Steel.

STEEL. [Startled] Oh!--Good-night!

He goes out into the hall. KATHERINE picks up OLIVE'S shoes,
and stands clasping them to her breast. MORE comes in.

KATHERINE. You've cleared your conscience, then! I didn't think
you'd hurt me so.

MORE does not answer, still living in the scene he has gone
through, and KATHERINE goes a little nearer to him.

KATHERINE. I'm with the country, heart and soul, Stephen. I warn
you.

While they stand in silence, facing each other, the footman,
HENRY, enters from the hall.

FOOTMAN. These notes, sir, from the House of Commons.

KATHERINE. [Taking them] You can have the room directly.

[The FOOTMAN goes out.]

MORE. Open them!

KATHERINE opens one after the other, and lets them fall on the
table.

MORE. Well?

KATHERINE. What you might expect. Three of your best friends. It's
begun.

MORE. 'Ware Mob! [He gives a laugh] I must write to the Chief.

KATHERINE makes an impulsive movement towards him; then quietly
goes to the bureau, sits down and takes up a pen.

KATHERINE. Let me make the rough draft. [She waits] Yes?

MORE. [Dictating]

"July 15th.

"DEAR SIR CHARLES, After my speech to-night, embodying my most
unalterable convictions [KATHERINE turns and looks up at him, but he
is staring straight before him, and with a little movement of despair
she goes on writing] I have no alternative but to place the
resignation of my Under-Secretaryship in your hands. My view, my
faith in this matter may be wrong--but I am surely right to keep the
flag of my faith flying. I imagine I need not enlarge on the
reasons----"

THE CURTAIN FALLS.

ACT. II

Before noon a few days later. The open windows of the
dining-room let in the sunlight. On the table a number of
newspapers are littered. HELEN is sitting there, sta