planation--she turns to AUSTIN and gives him her hand,
which he takes, presses, and drops; JINNY'S shoulders contract at
this moment; RUTH immediately turns again to JINNY._

RUTH. What is it, Jinny? [_To AUSTIN._] Surely she doesn't blame _me_ in
any way.

JINNY. _Blame you!_

AUSTIN. She doesn't _know_.

JINNY. That's a lie! I know everything, Ruth! I know why you followed my
husband to Rome, and why he sent for you to come back here. I know that
you and he were in Brooklyn this afternoon, and that you only plan to
get rid of me by some divorce, and by hook or crook to marry each other!

RUTH. No!--No!--

JINNY. Oh, you can lie, too, can you? I won't keep you waiting long!
You've stolen my husband from me--take him. I won't _share_ him with any
woman! He's yours now, and I'll soon be out of your way!

AUSTIN. _Jinny!_

RUTH. [_To Austin._] She must be told the truth.

[_AUSTIN bows his head._

JINNY. Now you'll make up your story, will you? I tell you it's useless.
If he wouldn't let me see your compromising letter, I've seen a letter
from _him_ to _you_ to-night that gives the whole thing away.

RUTH. [_Very quietly._] Your husband went to Brooklyn _without me_, as
your _brother_ will tell you, to see the clergyman who married me, or
_thought_ he _married_ me to _Geoffrey Tillman_ three months ago!
[_JINNY looks up with a start._] That marriage was _illegal_ because
your brother was already married, and Mr. Austin tried and did get the
promise of silence this afternoon about the Brooklyn service, to prevent
a charge of bigamy against your brother. The first marriage, which still
holds good, was with--Maggie, your present servant--

[_JINNY stands immovable. There is a silence._

AUSTIN. Geoffrey is not at your house?

RUTH. No, he left when I came on here. As I wrote you in the note I sent
upstairs, I was too stunned by what he told me to answer then, and I
wanted a word of advice with you. [_She turns to JINNY._] _I_ knew what
I thought was my _marriage_ to your brother must be kept secret, but I
could not learn why. This was my trouble, which, after your marriage, I
selfishly laid on your husband's shoulders, thinking he might help me!
[_No answer from JINNY, who stands as if struck dumb and into stone._]
Mr. Austin only learned the whole truth when we met that day in Rome.
_I_ did not learn till to-day that I was not honestly your brother's
wife. I had to be told, because divorce proceedin