Part 29 (2/2)

BLANCHE. What I say--I learned it then from a paper of my father's. I shouldn't have kept my knowledge to myself--I see that now; but I did, for your sake, not for love of you--the love went for good that day. But here, a moment ago, I realized for the first time that my old friend _did_ love me, love me with an ideal devotion the n.o.blest woman in the world might be proud of! I didn't tell him then I loved him, but now I take this chance, I _take it_ GLADLY before you!--_forced by you!_ I tell him now, what perhaps he has already guessed, I love him with all my heart--I _love him_! I LOVE HIM!

STERLING. d.a.m.n you both! then it's the _end_ of _me!_

[_He pulls out a pistol and tries to put it to his temple._

BLANCHE. [_Cries out._] Ned!

WARDEN. [_Seizes_ STERLING, _catches his arm, and wrenches the pistol from him._] So that's what you planned to do, is it--make a wretched scene like that?

[_It begins to snow more heavily._

STERLING. [_In utter collapse and shame._] Why did you stop me? I'm better out of the world. I'm crazy with shame. First I disgraced and now I've insulted--_degraded_--the only living thing I care for,--that's my wife.

[_A moment's pause._

BLANCHE. [_Speaks quietly._] Come back to the house. Mr. Mason is looking for you; he has something to tell you.

STERLING. I know--more bad news.

BLANCHE. No, good.

STERLING. [_Echoes._] Good! [_Starting to go, he turns at the porch._] I want _you_ to know that _I_ know I'm a rotten beast.

[_He goes out Left._

WARDEN. You're going back _home_?

BLANCHE. ”_Home!_” [_With a faint smile._] I should hardly call it that.

WARDEN. [_Aside to her._] You're not afraid?

BLANCHE. [_Half smiling._] Oh, no! And my boy's there.

[_The thick falling snow almost hides them, but they are unconscious of it._

WARDEN. What's to be done?

BLANCHE. Wait; we'll see--we'll see--let it be something we could never regret. Good-by, Ned.

[_Giving him her hand._

WARDEN. Good-by, Blanche.

[_Kissing her hand very tenderly and almost with a certain kind of awe, as_

THE CURTAIN SLOWLY FALLS

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