Part 10 (1/2)

_Dolly._ No, I daresay it's only my imagination.

_Renie._ And if he did--Dolly, is there one man living, except my husband, who would condemn me for being the object of a n.o.ble, single-hearted devotion like Captain Wentworth's?

_Dolly._ No, dear, perhaps not. But, you see, as husbands they take quite a different view of things from what they do merely as men.

_Renie._ Tell me candidly, Dolly, you see nothing wrong in it, do you?

_Dolly._ Well, dear, when you say wrong----

_Renie._ But I a.s.sure you there isn't--nothing could be further from my thoughts.

_Dolly._ No, dear--still, people are so full of prejudice--now what can I do?

_Renie._ [_Clasping_ DOLLY'S _hand warmly._] Oh, Dolly, you can help me so much.

_Dolly._ [_A little alarmed._] Can I? Tell me----

_Renie._ If Lucas and I are parted---- [_Breaks down._] I can't bear it!

I can't bear it!

_Dolly._ Try, dear! Try!

_Renie._ [_Sobbing._] I will. And if at any time I long to hear how he bears our separation, you won't mind receiving a letter, and sending it on to me?

_Dolly._ I'm afraid I couldn't do that, dear. You see, I'm so careless, and if I left the letter about, and Harry found it--no, dear----

_Renie._ You won't help me?

_Dolly._ Yes, dear, I'll do anything in my power! [_Suddenly._] I'll tell you what I can do!

_Renie._ Yes?

_Dolly._ My father is telling Lucas he must leave to-night. Well, I can spare you all the pain and misery of saying ”Good-bye,” and take one last message to him.

_Renie._ [_Curtly._] No, thank you. It's most unkind of you to send him away like this. I must see him alone before he goes.

_Dolly._ [_Shakes her head._] My father insists, and suppose Lucas feels that he owes it to your reputation to go quietly----

_Renie._ Without seeing me?!

_Dolly._ And suppose the Professor is really watching you----

[RENIE shows great perplexity. DOLLY _is watching her._

_Dolly._ If you don't see Lucas, what message shall I take him?

_Renie._ Tell him how proud I am of his n.o.ble, unselfish devotion; tell him I shall always look upon it as the one supreme happiness of my life to have known him----

_The_ PROFESSOR _and_ MATTHEW _enter. The_ PROFESSOR _has diagrams and ill.u.s.trations in his hand. Following the_ PROFESSOR _and_ MATT _are_ HARRY _and_ LUCAS. LUCAS, _after a little time, comes up to_ DOLLY _and_ RENIE, _who are seated on sofa. The_ PROFESSOR _is speaking to_ MATT _as he enters, and is showing him an ill.u.s.tration._