e is a friend whose heart is a divine
magnet! Real love makes an angel of a woman and a hero of a man, but
love such as you have--oh, the happiness in this world that's been lost
through it!

COAST. You don't know me!

GEORGIANA. I didn't, but I do! You've dragged down my brother,
sacrificed him and my belief in him, almost, for your own selfish end,
tried to trap me into marrying you when you know I didn't love you.

COAST. But you would--

GEORGIANA. Once perhaps, though I can't imagine it! But not now! No! I'd
starve and suffer and die now before I could ever love you.

[_A pause;_ COAST _goes to the table and stands half shamefaced a
moment, then he pulls himself up and turns._

COAST. Well, face the music for a while, and then see!

GEORGIANA. They're waiting for you at dinner; please join them and tell
them what you like.

COAST. I'll tell them nothing. I'll let you and Steve think things over
a little.

STEVEN. [_Rises, and goes to meet_ COAST.] You will have something to
settle with me outside of money matters!

COAST. [_With a jeer._] Please yourself.

[_He goes out._

GEORGIANA. [_To_ STEVEN.] I believe I can influence Louise to do nothing
for the sake of the children, and she loves you in her way.

STEVEN. But the bank?

[_He sits on sofa beside her._

GEORGIANA. Oh, we can take care of the bank; after all, we've friends,
we've jewels, we've this house.

STEVEN. That's true, and the brokers?

GEORGIANA. Who are they?

STEVEN. Caldwell and Hovery.

GEORGIANA. Mr. Caldwell will be at the ball to-night?

STEVEN. Probably.

GEORGIANA. I'll see him. We've always been good friends,--and so were
his father and your father. He won't let his firm make a scandal if he
can help it, especially as they can gain nothing and we should lose so
much! Steve, we'll get out of this yet, with your name all right!

BELLA. [_Entering Right._] May I come in?

GEORGIANA. Yes, Bella.

BELLA. Oh, good evening, Mr. Carley, it's a pleasant evening!

STEVEN. Good evening, Miss Shindle.

BELLA. What I come to ask is if I shall do you now, and Mrs. Wishings
around the corner afterwards?

GEORGIANA. I think I'd rather you went to Mrs. Wishings first if you
don't mind.

BELLA. Oh, it's all the same to me! Mrs. Wishings ain't really in the
smart set and they say her husband ain't so rich, and she's horrid to
her servants--don't give them cake. I don't care if I lost her head to
do! I'm like that, as you k