Why Marry? Part 72

JUDGE

[_standing beside lovers_]

No! Such as they will not destroy marriage--they will save it! They restore the vital substance while we preserve the empty sh.e.l.l.

Everything they have said, everything they have done, proves it. The promise to love--they could not help it--they took it--I heard them. The instinct for secrecy--they felt it--we all do--but straightway they told the next of kin. [_Points to JOHN._] Even when insulted and driven forth from the tribe, they indignantly refused to be driven into each other's arms until you of the same blood could hear them plight their troth!

Believe in marriage? Why, there never was, there never will be a more perfect tribute to true marriage than from this fearless pair you now accuse of seeking to destroy it! [_JOHN tries to interrupt, but the JUDGE waves him down._] They have been not only honorable but old-fas.h.i.+oned, save in the one orthodox detail of accepting the authority const.i.tuted by society for its protection and for _theirs_.

[_To HELEN and ERNEST._] But now, I'm sure, before starting on their wedding journey--another old-fas.h.i.+oned convention they believe in--that, just to please us if not themselves, they will consent to be united in the bonds of holy wedlock by Cousin Theodore who stands ready and waiting with prayer-book in hand.

[_Family subsides. Everybody happy. THEODORE steps up, opens prayer-book._

THEODORE

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of G.o.d----"

HELEN

[_suddenly loud and clear_]

Theodore! are you going to marry Rex and Jean?

JOHN

[_impatiently_]

Of course, of course, Mr. Baker's chaplain.

ERNEST

[_recoiling_]

Theodore! You! Are you going to stand up and tell the world that G.o.d has joined those two together--G.o.d?

[_THEODORE looks at JOHN but does not deny it and says nothing._

HELEN

Then you will be blaspheming love--and G.o.d who made it. No, you shall not marry us.

ERNEST

[_agreeing with HELEN_]

Some things are too sacred to be profaned.

THEODORE

[_overwhelmed_]

Profaned?... By the Church?

JOHN

Your love too sacred for the Church? The Church has a name for such love! The world a name for such women!

ERNEST

[_about to strike JOHN, then shrugs_]

A rotten world! A kept Church! Come, let's get away from it all! Come!

[_HELEN offers her hand in farewell to LUCY, but JOHN s.h.i.+elds her from HELEN'S touch, then to JEAN. REX s.h.i.+elds JEAN from contamination, but JEAN weeps._

JUDGE

[_barring the way. To ERNEST_]

Stop! You cannot! The very tie that binds you to this woman binds you to us and to the whole world with hooks of steel! [_The lovers are still going, JUDGE ascends steps, facing them._] For the last time! before too late! ERNEST! You _know_ that in the eyes of G.o.d you _are_ taking this woman to be your wife.

ERNEST

In the eyes of _G.o.d_, I _do_ take Helen to be my wife--but----

JUDGE

You, Helen! Speak, woman, speak!

HELEN

I take Ernest to be my husband in the eyes of G.o.d, but----

JUDGE

[_raises his hand augustly and in a voice of authority_]

Then, since you, Ernest, and you, Helen, have made this solemn declaration before G.o.d and in the presence of witnesses, I, by the authority vested in me by the laws of this State do now p.r.o.nounce you man and wife!