The plays of Hubert Henry Davies (Volume 2) online

I'm quite willing to marry you.

MIRIAM. There was a time when I'd have jumped at
that — but it's past. No, thank you. I won't marry you
— but I'll go -R-ith you to Buenos Ayres or anywhere else
if you really want me.

GEOFFREY. I wou't make protestations — and I'm not
going to pay you compliments, but I'm speaking the
truth when I tell you that I shall be glad to have you if
you'll come with me.

MIRIAM. Thank you, Geoffrey.

GEOFFREY. You might as well marry me. I don't



OUTCAST 287

think you need be afraid. I shall never see Valentine
again. I shall settle down and do my best to make my
wife happy and contented.

MIRIAM. I'm sure of it.

GEOFFREY. Nobody out there need know.

MIRIAM {as if weighing the question.) No. That's true.
{Then after a pause.) But I wasn't looking at it quite
in that light. {She pauses again and turns to him before
she says.) Did you ever read the marriage service ?

GEOFFREY. YcS.

MIRIAM. I never did, till the other day. It was after
the last time I saw you, one afternoon. I was wandering
along and I passed a church. I heard singing, so I stood
and listened. Then I thought it could do us no harm if
I prayed for us both, so I went inside. That was how
I happened to come across the marriage service. It
seemed as if it opened my eyes. It made me see — that
whether you think marriage is something religious, or
only human — it's a solemn business, it's for the pro-
tection of good women, it's their reward, I'll cleave to
you, Geoffrey, as long as you wish ; but I won't marry
you.

GEOFFREY. All right.



CURTAIN.



THE END



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II



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