n yours.

The Duchess. Hear me, Miss Mary. (Aside.) How can I tell her? (Aloud.)
One moment, miss. I was once--ye may not believe it, miss--as good, as
pure, as you. I had a husband, the father of this child. He was
kind, good, easy, forgiving,--too good for me, miss, too simple and
unsuspecting. He was what the world calls a fool, miss: he loved me too
well,--the kind o' crime, miss,--beggin' your pardon, and all precepts
to the contrairy,--the one thing that women like me never forgives. He
had a pardner, miss, that governed him as HE never governed me;
that held him with the stronger will, and maybe ME too. I was young,
miss,--no older than yourself then; and I ran away with him,--left all,
and ran away with my husband's pardner. My husband--nat'rally--took
to drink. I axes your pardin', miss; but ye'll see now, allowin' your
larnin', that Alexander Morton ain't the man as will take my child.

Miss Mary. Nonsense. You are wrong. He has reformed; he has been
restored to his home,--your child's home, your home if you will but
claim it. Do not fear: I will make that right.

Enter SANDY slowly and sheepishly, R.; stops on observing the Duchess,
and stands amazed and motionless.

Miss Mary (observing SANDY--aside). He HAS returned. Poor fellow! How
shall I get rid of this woman? (Aloud.) Enough. If you are sincere, I
will take your child, and, God help me! bring him to his home and yours.
Are you satisfied?

The Duchess. Thank ye! Thank ye, miss; but--but thar's a mistake
somewhar. In course--it's natural--ye don't know the father of that
child, my boy Tommy, under the name o' Alexander Morton. Ye're thinking,
like as not, of another man. The man I mean lives yer, in this camp:
they calls him Sandy, miss,--SANDY!

Miss Mary (after a pause, coming forward passionately). Hush! I have
given you my answer, be it Alexander Morton or Sandy. Go now: bring me
the child this evening at my house. I will meet you there. (Leads the
DUCHESS to wing. The DUCHESS endeavors to fall at her feet.)

The Duchess. God bless you, miss!

Miss Mary (hurriedly embracing her). No more, no more--but go!

[Exit DUCHESS. MISS MARY returns hurriedly to centre, confronting SANDY.

Miss Mary (to SANDY, hurriedly and excitedly). You have heard what that
woman said. I do not ask you under what alias you are known here: I
only ask a single question.--Is SHE your wife? are you the father of her
child?

Sandy (sinking upon his knees before her,