our I gave you my promise,
he gave me a tip and guaranteed I shouldn't lose!

GEORGIANA. Sam! Oh!

[_She turns to the bench before her dressing table and sinks upon it._

COAST. [_Speaks to her across the table._] It's true! And I led him to
speculate more, I tricked him first with winning and then let him go! I
knew he'd soon do for himself alone, and he did! Yes--I ruined him
purposely and you through him, so as to get you to be my wife. I did it
purposely and I'd do it again! Of course I meant all along to make it up
in the end when I'd got you.

GEORGIANA. And did you really think you _could_ get me that way?

COAST. Why, you've got to marry me. You needn't be afraid of what I
won't do for you. I love you, you know that. Everything--I've told you
that before. You shall have _everything_ on God's earth you want, and
Louise and her mother shall live in style as they always have, and Steve
have his own money back, with a brother-in-law to help him take care of
it! And what's the other side of the picture? Nothing for you or Louise
or anybody--and disgrace for Steve into the bargain. Why, you've _got_
to _marry_ me! [GEORGIANA _rises,_ COAST _follows her._] Don't you see?
Anyway [_Smiling._] it was only a trick to make you, because, Georgy, I
love you so! [_A pause; she stands looking at him._] Well?

GEORGIANA. I'm trying to realize--to understand it all.

[MOLES _enters Left._

MOLES. Please, miss, Mrs. Carley says your soup is all cold and they're
on with the fish.

GEORGIANA. Tell Mrs. Carley not to wait for Mr. Carley and me, we're not
coming down; but Mr. Coast will join them in a moment.

[COAST _looks up surprised._

MOLES. Yes, miss.

[_He goes out. A moment's pause._

COAST. What do you mean by that?

[_Another pause._

GEORGIANA. [_Slowly._] Not to save myself, not even to save my brother,
and from even worse than we have to face, would I marry you.

COAST. Don't say that, Georgy!

GEORGY. Why, every word you've said, and everything you've done to make
me love you, makes me instead--yes--and for what you've done with Steve
[_Looks at_ STEVE.], _I do hate_ you.

[_Goes to the sofa,_ COAST _follows._

COAST. I only said it because I love you, Georgiana.

GEORGIANA. Oh, Sam Coast, you don't know what love is! Love doesn't make
beasts of men, it makes men of beasts. It doesn't take all for
itself--it sacrifices all for another. Love isn't an enemy that lays
traps and makes ambushes,--lov