child_, instead of a _woman_!

JINNY. No, because you've kept part of yourself from me, and that part
you've given--

AUSTIN. For God's sake, stop! [_A pause--JINNY is now thoroughly
frightened; slowly she comes to her senses._] Do you _want_ a rupture
for good between us? [_No answer._] Can't you see what I tell you is
true? That I can't bear any more to-night? That if you keep on you will
rob _me_ of every bit of love I have for you, just as you've already
robbed me of the woman I thought you were?

JINNY. "Already!" No, no, Jack, don't say that. Oh, what have I done!

[_She cries._

AUSTIN. You've done something very serious, and before you do
more-- [_Speaking hardly._] --I think we'd better not stay in this
evening; it would be wiser for both of us if we went out somewhere.

JINNY. No, I couldn't go out feeling this way! I've hurt you, hurt you
terribly! Oh, why do I do it? Why can't I help myself?

AUSTIN. I think one more scene to-night would finish things for us. I
_warn_ you of that, Jinny--

[_He goes to the desk and sits at it, looking blankly before him. She
comes slowly, almost timidly, behind his chair._

JINNY. No, don't say it! don't say it! Try to forgive me--oh, Jack, I
hate myself, and I'm so ashamed of myself! I know I've disappointed you
awfully, awfully! You _did_ idealize me; I knew it when you married me,
but I told you then I wasn't worth your loving me, didn't I? I never
pretended to be worthy of you. I always knew I wasn't.

AUSTIN. Hush!

JINNY. It's true! it's only too awfully true. But do you remember how
you answered me then when I told you I wasn't worth your loving me?

AUSTIN. [_Coldly and without looking at her._] No.

JINNY. You took me in your arms and held me so I couldn't have got away
if I'd wanted to--which I didn't--and stopped the words on my lips with
your _kisses_. [_Her throat fills. He makes no reply. She goes on very
pathetically._] _How I wish_ you'd answer me that way now!

AUSTIN. Whose fault is it?

JINNY. Oh, mine! _mine_! I know it. _You_ don't know it one-half so well
as I! I love you better than anything in the world, love everything of
you--the turn of your head, the blessed touch of your hand, the smallest
word that comes from your dear lips--the thoughts that your forehead
hides, but which my heart guesses when I'm sane! And yet, try as hard as
I can, these mad fits take hold of me, and although I'd willingly _die_
to save you _pain_, sti