rriage, Martha--that is, no child of our very
own, no child whose love we have not stolen.

AUNTIE. My dear . . .

VICAR. We have spoken about it sometimes, haven't we? Or,
rather--_not_ spoken!

AUNTIE. William, why will you think of these things?

VICAR. In those first days, dearest, I brought you two children of
our own to cherish, little unborn souls crying for you to mother
them-- You have fostered only the one. That one is called the
Scholar. Shall I tell you the name of the other?

AUNTIE [after a moment]. Yes . . .

VICAR. I hardly know: I hardly dare to name him, but perhaps it
was--the Saint.

AUNTIE. What I have done, William, has been done for love of
you--you only--you only in the world!

VICAR. Yes: that's what I _mean_!

[The thought troubles her for a moment; then she paces up and down
in agitated rebellion.]

AUNTIE. No! I can't believe it! I can't think that love is as
wrong as you say!

VICAR. Love is a spirit of many shapes and shadows: a spirit of
fire and darkness--a minister of heaven and hell: Sometimes I think
the very damned know love--in a way. It can inform men's souls
with the gladness of high archangels, or possess them with the
despair of devils!

[She suddenly stands still, struck by the echo in his last phrase.]

Yes?

AUNTIE. I was wondering . . .

Wondering what Manson meant just now.

VICAR. When?

AUNTIE. When he spoke about your brother Robert.

VICAR. I think he made it clear. He said we were--rid of him
forever!

AUNTIE [thoughtfully]. Ye-es . . .

William, I begin to fear that man.

VICAR. Whom--Robert?

AUNTIE. No, Manson.

[Re-enter MANSON from door, right. He carries a five-pound note in
his hand.]

MANSON. His lordship will be glad to see you.

AUNTIE. Very well, Manson. Why, what have you there?

MANSON. A remedy for misapprehension, ma'am.

AUNTIE. It's a five-pound note.

MANSON. Yes.

AUNTIE. Come, William.

[She goes to the drawing-room door, her head anxiously turned
towards MANSON.]

VICAR [at the door]. What are we going to do, Martha?

AUNTIE. I don't know: God help me, I can't see the way!

[They both go out, MANSON watching them. He then moves up to the
fire, and burns the five-pound note. He watches the flames leap up
as he speaks.]

MANSON. _Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth
deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother: thou
slanderest thine own