Part 28 (2/2)

BLANCHE. [_Rising and looking straight into his eyes with a suddenly revealed great love in her own._] Ned!--

[_They hold this position some moments, gazing into each other's eyes; then finally_ WARDEN _makes a movement towards her, crying out more triumphantly, having read and realized her love for him._

WARDEN. Blanche!

BLANCHE. [_Moving a half step back from him._] No--

WARDEN. No?

BLANCHE. Look--look, it's beginning to snow!

WARDEN. [_Very softly._] What do you mean?

BLANCHE. [_Desperately._] I mean to speak of anything except what is in your thoughts at this moment! Help me not to forget that no matter what he has done, d.i.c.k is still my husband.

WARDEN. You don't know all he has done!

BLANCHE. How not ”all”? What else? Where is he?

[_With a sudden new alarm._

WARDEN. He has left you.

BLANCHE. [_Echoes._] Left me?--

WARDEN. Mason is searching for him. He left a note at your house which Jess read; it was only one word ”Good-by.”

BLANCHE. [_Echoes again._] Good-by! [_Sleigh-bells are heard in the distance, coming quickly nearer._] What does it mean? You're hiding something from me! Tell me what else you know?

WARDEN. He left the house, but took something with him--something from a drawer in his room.

BLANCHE. [_After a second's pause she whispers._] His pistol?

WARDEN. Yes.

BLANCHE. [_Aghast, still whispers._] Has he done it?

WARDEN. I don't know; I'm waiting word from Mason.

[_The sleigh-bells stop._

BLANCHE. [_Excited._] But we can't wait here doing nothing; we must go, too!

WARDEN. Mason is doing all that can be done; we'd better wait here.

[_He takes her hand in sympathy, but without suggesting the pa.s.sion of a few moments before._ STERLING _enters hurriedly Left. He is wild with drink and jealousy._

STERLING. Drop my wife's hand!

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