man who dares to pity me must do it in secret.

Jovita. But you will abandon this dreadful trade. As the son of the
rich Don Jose, no one dare scorn you. My father will relent. I am his
heiress.

Oakhurst. No more, Jovita, no more. If I were the man who could purchase
the world's respect through a woman's weakness for him, I should not be
here to-night. I am not here to sue your father's daughter with hopes
of forgiveness, promises of reformation. Reformation, in a man like me,
means cowardice or self-interest. (OLD MORTON, becoming excited, leans
slowly out from the shadow of the pillar listening intently.) I am here
to take, by force if necessary, a gambler's wife,--the woman who will
share my fortunes, my disgrace, my losses; who is willing to leave her
old life of indulgence, of luxury, of respectability, for mine. You are
frightened, little dove: compose yourself (soothing her tenderly and
sadly); you are frightened at the cruel hawk who has chosen you for a
mate.

Old Morton (aside). God in heaven! This is like HIM! like me!--like me,
before the blessed Lord lifted me into regeneration. If it should be!
(Leans forward anxiously from pillar.)

Oakhurst (aside). Still silent! Poor dove, I can hear her foolish heart
flutter against mine. Another moment decides our fate. Another moment:
John Oakhurst and freedom, or Red Gulch and--she is moving. (To JOVITA.)
I am harsh, little one, and cold. Perhaps I have had much to make me so.
But when (with feeling) I first met you; when, lifting my eyes to the
church-porch, I saw your beautiful face; when, in sheer recklessness
and bravado, I raised my hat to you; when you--you, Jovita--lifted
your brave eyes to mine, and there, there in the sanctuary, returned
my salute,--the salutation of the gambler, the outcast, the
reprobate,--then, then I swore that you should be mine, if I tore you
from the sanctuary. Speak now, Jovita: if it was coquetry, speak now; I
forgive you: if it was sheer wantonness, speak now; I shall spare you:
but if--

Jovita (throwing herself in his arms). Love, Juan! I am yours, now
and forever. (Pause.) But you have not told me all. I will go with you
to-night--now. I leave behind me all,--my home, my father, my--(pause)
my name. You have forgotten, Juan, you have not told me what I change
THAT for: you have not told me YOURS.

OLD MORTON, in eager excitement, leans beyond shadow of pillar.

Oakhurst (embracing her tenderly, with a smile). If I have