The Squire Part 17

_(walks up and returns)_

{Eric.} _(advances L., rousing himself)_ Tell me where to turn, where to go. If I die, what then?

If I live, what then? I'll do anything you bid me, _(returns to her)_ but if you shrink from me at parting it is more than I can bear, only look at me. One last look--a look for me to cherish. Kate! _(advancing, Moves down, back to audience.)_

{Kate.} _(rises)_ No, no! _(he covers his eyes with his hand--there is a pause)_ Let me see your face, Eric _(he turns, they look each other in the face-- pityingly)_ Trouble makes you pale. Oh, how selfish I am. Poor Eric!

{Eric.} I am thinking of the day we first met!

How bright! And now, what a parting!

{Kate.} Hus.h.!.+ I shall go mad if you make me think. _(The clock chimes again--starting)_ Look at the hour--Good-night! _(goes R., a little)_

_(He turns to go--stops.)_

{Eric.} _(holds out his hand)_ Touch my hand but once.

{Kate.} _(looking at him)_ We are suffering so much together, aren't we? I don't know what I've said to you, but it is no fault of yours, dear. We were wedded in happiness--we are divorced in grief. Yes --I will just take your hand.

_(Without approaching too nearly, she lays her hand in his--their eyes meet.)_

{Eric.} Oh, Kate, the future!

_(With a cry they go to each other, but as Eric is about to press his lips to hers, she recoils with horror.)_

{Kate.} Oh, no! I, that have prayed G.o.d to make me good all my life, what should I be if you kissed me now?

{Eric.} Oh, Kate!

{Kate.} Go, go. Eric, you love me too well for that, don't you?

{Eric.} Heaven give me strength, yes!

_(The door L., opens, and Gilbert appears with a fixed and determined look, carrying his gun.)_

{Gil.} _(L.)_ Mr. Thornd.y.k.e! _(at door)_

{Eric.} _(c. calmly)_ Well, sir. _(a pause)_

{Kate.} Why have you come back to the house?

{Gil.} _(puts hat on chair and shuts door)_ I have not left the house. I come for an answer to my letter.

{Kate.} _(putting her hand to her head)_ Your letter?

_(the letter lies unopened upon the table, Kate sees it)_ Oh, there it is, unopened.

_(Gil. walks firmly into the room, and points towards the letter.)_

{Gil.} Read it, please, _(down L. C.)_

_(Kate opens the letter, draws her hands across her eyes and reads, sitting R., of table.)_

{Kate.} _(reading)_ "Squire Kate--I will be satisfied that this Thornd.y.k.e's name is not to blacken yours in the mouths of the people of Market-Sinfield.

I shall remain concealed in this house till I can speak to you alone. Remember--my love makes me desperate--one more harsh word from you may bring mischief to another. Gilbert." Mischief to another?

{Eric.} _(C. slowly takes the letter from Kate)_ What gives you a right to control this lady?

{Gil.} Her loneliness--my love. I was born and reared on these lands--we plucked wild flowers together, as children.

{Eric.} Are you her guardian, now that she is a woman?

{Gil.} I am--and of any weak soul in peril.

{Kate.} _(rises)_ What do you want of me?

{Gil.} Nothing; because I am face to face with _him_.

{Eric.} Quickly, then, sir, your business with me?

_(throws paper down)_

{Gil.} Mr. Thornd.y.k.e, you, who are supposed to be a suns.h.i.+ne acquaintance of our Squire's, are found here at dead of night, in the house of one whom all honest folks know as _Miss_ Verity.

{Eric.} Well, sir?

{Gil.} _(pointing to Kate)_ I can't--I won't believe but that that lady is good and pure. You either have a sacred right here, or you are an intruder and worse than a thief. You have to answer for this to me.

{Eric.} Sir, you are in the presence of a sorrow too profound to be disturbed by sharp questions and hot answers. In justice to this lady, we may meet to-morrow.

{Gil.} Not to-morrow, when I trap my game to-night.

{Eric.} _(indignantly)_ Ah!

{Kate.} Gilbert, you used to be so gentle! _(Eric restrains her)_

{Gil.} Pardon me, Squire, my reckoning is with him. Mr. Thornd.y.k.e, you have robbed me of a love which I have laboured for for years. Ceaseless yearning--heart-sickness--hope raised and hope deferred--sleep without rest--thirst for which there is no drink. That is my account. What is yours?

I find you now where you can have no right but the sacred one of husband. _(Eric and Kate exchange a look--he comes nearer to Eric and looks in his face)_ Is that lady your wife?

{Eric.} You approach me, sir, with the light of a murderer in your eyes, and carrying a weapon. Your very tone, sir, is a sacrilege. I tell you, man, there is a grief so deep that it is holy before Heaven.

{Gil.} Is that lady your wife?

{Kate.} _(advancing)_ Gilbert, you shall know--!

{Eric.} _(stopping her)_ Hus.h.!.+ _(to Gil.)_ Do you threaten me?

{Gil.} I am the protector of a helpless woman-- I do.

{Eric.} You are a coward.

{Gil.} _(stamping his foot)_ Is that lady your wife?

{Eric.} Then, sir, in the sight of heaven, yes.