r!

TILLMAN. I'm outside the library door.

AUSTIN. [_Nearer._] I can't wait--have you seen her? Will she see me?

TILLMAN. She's locked herself in here. She's not been to her own room.

AUSTIN. Not been to bed at all! Poor Jinny--God forgive me.

TILLMAN. Maggie says she's walked the floor all night.

[_He knocks on the door Right._

AUSTIN. [_Outside the door, Right, rather softly._] Jinny! I'm so sorry!
I can't say how sorry! I've thought it out through the night, and I
think I understand things better. [_He waits a moment for an answer._]
Jinny, answer me! you shall be as jealous as you like, and I'll always
explain and kiss away those doubts of yours, and I'll have no more
secrets from you, dear. Not one! Jinny! [_As he calls there is a slight
movement of one of JINNY'S arms. With a note of alarm._] Father! I can't
hear a sound of breathing! [_A moment's pause as they listen._] She
threatened it--she threatened it several times! [_With great
determination._] We must get into this room--do you hear me--we must get
in if we have to break the door down! [_They shake the door. He calls a
little louder._] Jinny, Jinny darling--do you hear me? [_JINNY makes a
sort of feeble effort to lift her head, but fails._] Jinny, for God's
sake, answer me! I love you Jinny--_Jinny!_ [_Very slowly JINNY lifts
her head and, with difficulty, she hears as if in a dream; she is dazed,
barely alive._] She doesn't answer!

TILLMAN. See if the key is in the lock.

AUSTIN. No.

TILLMAN. Get the other keys, Maggie.

AUSTIN. _Father!_ Gas! Don't you smell it?

TILLMAN. What!

AUSTIN. Gas, I tell you! O God! she's killed herself! Jinny! Jinny!

[_Beating the door._

[_JINNY staggers up, she tries to call "Jack"--but the word only comes
out in a half-articulate whisper! She tries again, but fails._

MAGGIE. Here's a key, sir.

[_JINNY tries to go to the door; she staggers a few steps and then
falls._

[_They try one key--it does not unlock the door; they try another._

[_JINNY half raises herself and makes an effort to crawl, but is
unable and sinks back upon the floor._

AUSTIN. Break the door in, father! We daren't waste any more time!

TILLMAN. No, this has done it!

[_They open the door and rush in. They stop aghast at JINNY and the
oppressiveness of the gas in the room._

TILLMAN. Jinny!

AUSTIN. Quick--the window! [_TILLMAN tears aside the curtains and throws
open the window. The sunshin