ow dare you
look me in the face with the eyes that I once kissed, and pretend the
least regard for me? [CYNTHIA _recoils and looks away. Her own
feelings are revealed to her clearly for the first time._] I begin to
understand our American women now. Fire-flies--and the fire they gleam
with is so cold that a midge couldn't warm his heart at it, let alone
a man. You're not of the same race as a man! You married me for
nothing, divorced me for nothing, because you _are_ nothing!

CYNTHIA. [_Wounded to the heart._] Jack! What are you saying?

JOHN. [_With unrestrained emotion._] What,--you feigning an interest
in me, feigning a lie--and in five minutes-- [_With a gesture,
indicating the altar._] Oh, you've taught me the trick of your
sex--you're the woman who's not a woman!

CYNTHIA. [_Weakly._] You're saying terrible things to me.

JOHN. [_Low and with intensity._] You haven't been divorced from me
long enough to forget--what you should be ashamed to remember.

CYNTHIA. [_Unable to face him and pretending not to understand him._]
I don't know what you mean?

JOHN. [_More forcibly and with manly emotion._] You're not able to
forget me! You know you're not able to forget me; ask yourself if you
are able to forget me, and when your heart, such as it is, answers
"no," then-- [_The organ is plainly heard._] Well, then, prance gaily
up to the altar and marry that, if you can!

_He abruptly quits the room and_ CYNTHIA, _moving to an
armchair, sinks into it, trembling._ MATTHEW _comes in and is
joined by_ MISS HENEAGE _and_ PHILIP. _They do not see_
CYNTHIA _buried deeply in her chair. Accordingly_, MISS
HENEAGE _moves over to the sofa and waits. They are all
dressed for an evening reception and_ PHILIP _is in the
traditional bridegroom's rig._

MATTHEW. [_As he enters._] I am sure you will do your part, Sarah--in
a spirit of Christian decorum. [_To_ PHILIP.] It was impossible to
find my surplice, Philip, but the more informal the better.

PHILIP. [_With pompous responsibility._] Where's Cynthia?

[MATTHEW _gives a glance around the room._

MATTHEW. Ah, here's the choir! [_He moves forward to meet it._ CHOIR
BOYS _come in very orderly; divide and take their places, an even
number on each side of the altar of flowers._ MATTHEW _vaguely
superintends._ PHILIP _gets in the way of the bell and moves out of
the way._ THOMAS _comes in._] Thomas, I directed you--One moment, if
you plea