an to make him marry her if I can, here,
to-day.

MRS. LORRIMER. [_Doubtfully._] Do you think you can?

MARION. If he loves me, I think so. I shall ask him to prove his love
by doing the one honourable, honest thing there is for him to do. [_To
sofa._

MRS. LORRIMER. You believe in this woman?

MARION. He has practically acknowledged that what she says is true.

MRS. LORRIMER. [_Tenderly._] And _you_, dear, and your love--
[_Crosses to_ MARION. _Interrupted._

MARION. _My_ love--for _him_. [_Sits on sofa_.] The blow he struck
Jeannette fell on my heart and killed my love. A man who would strike
a woman will do most anything,--and think where he did it, and _why_?
Because she was pleading and fighting for the rights of his child!

MRS. LORRIMER. I am glad, dear, you can take it so calmly.

MARION. [_Calmly._] Oh, no, it isn't exactly that--I am reasonable; I
see I've escaped a great misery and I'm grateful-- [_Enter_ SERVANT.]
But I suffer terribly, for the moment I close my eyes, I see only the
dreadful scene of yesterday.

SERVANT. Mr. Fletcher, ma'am.

MRS. LORRIMER. Oh! He's missed him!

MARION. What? [_Rises._] Who's missed who?

MRS. LORRIMER. Nothing. Nobody!

MARION. [_To_ SERVANT.] Show him in, Howes. [SERVANT _bows slightly
and exits_.

MRS. LORRIMER. [_Quickly._] Let me go the other way. [_Reaches door._

MARION. You're coming back?

MRS. LORRIMER. Yes. [_Kisses_ MARION.

MARION. What a sweet rose that is. [_Touching_ DAWSON'S _rose in_ MRS.
LORRIMER'S _dress._

MRS. LORRIMER. Yes, it's the loveliest rose I've ever seen. [_Exit
quickly as_ FLETCHER _enters._

FLETCHER. [_Speaking seriously but pleasantly, evidently expecting
that everything is to be made all right between them._] Thank you for
sending for me, but I would have come without your message!

MARION. [_Looks at him, surprised at his tone. Speaks quietly._]
Jeannette is upstairs waiting.

FLETCHER. [_Starts; his whole manner changes; he realizes now that he
has to fight for what he wants and against what he doesn't want._]
Why?

MARION. I've promised her you shall marry her, if I can make you.

FLETCHER. You can't. No, no, Marion. [_Pleading._] You won't throw me
over for yesterday. I lost my temper, I know, and I'm sorry for it,
but I love you-- [_Interrupted._

MARION. [_Interrupting._] Prove it by doing what I ask.

FLETCHER. [_Angry._] Never! [_Goes right._

MARION. [_Follows him._] If you make the reparation th