Fanshaw. Is Fletcher in the vestry yet?

Johnstone. Heavens, no! How long do you want him to hang around? But he won't be late; he's serious this time.

Trimmins. I'm glad to hear it, because he's going to marry a splendid girl. [A short pause.] I hope to goodness he really loves her.

Johnstone. Oh, he does, I'm sure. I'll bet you, if you like; will you put up a silk hat on it? [Rises.

Fanshaw. Yes, I'll take you!

Johnstone. All right. [Exit from pew. Holding out his hand which Fanshaw takes, and they shake.] Done!

Fanshaw. And I hope I'll lose. And if I were he, I'd tremble in my boots with a past like his, and the present getting so conspicuously favourable.

Johnstone. Oh, I don't believe in your boomerang pasts!

Fanshaw. And I don't believe Fletcher can have one single memory of his own which he wouldn't rather forget since he has come to care for Marion Wolton. [Crosses to pew. Johnstone crosses.

Trimmins. Yes, but don't you think a fellow can sow his wild oats and be done with them, and become a good man and an honest citizen.

Fanshaw. Of course I do, else, good Lord, where'd I be! We can't all be ideal chaps like Douglas Rhodes. But there are oats and oats, and Fletcher's are—oats!

Johnstone. Well, he's sorry for them. [Crosses to pew. As Douglas Rhodes enters, Trimmins exits. Rhodes is also dressed as an usher and comes up the aisle in time to hear Johnstone's speech, as he joins them.

Douglas. Who's sorry for what?

Johnstone. Fletcher for—for—for—everything!

Douglas. Hum— [He goes up left.

Fanshaw. If he's honestly sorry, he's no business marrying Marion Wolton.

Johnstone. Why not?

Fanshaw. He has a debt to be paid. He can't wash his hands of the kind of things he's done; if he were in earnest in regretting his old life, he would do something to make up for it.

Johnstone. Well, isn't he? He's going to marry a nice girl and settle down.

Fanshaw. If he were in earnest he'd marry, instead, one of at least two girls I know of—not this one.

Johnstone. Oh, come, there's no reason why he should do a quixotic thing like that, he has a future before him.

Fanshaw. He has their futures before him.

Johnstone. Don't preach. Why should he be dragged down—

Fanshaw. [Interrupting.] To where he dragged them?

Johnstone. Exactly; Fletcher's no fool. And then there's Mr. Dawson. He swears by Fletcher now; they're regular pals.

Fanshaw. Ever since Mr. Wolton's death. I don't understand it.

Douglas. [Coming down left.] Yes, Dawson really believes in Fletcher—well, perhaps he's right. There must be some good in everybody, and perhaps Fletcher is just beginning to come to the top. Let's hope so.

Johnstone. Hang it, fellows, brace up anyway. This isn't a funeral, you know. Hello, there's the organ. [Organ music begins, and selections appropriate and usual on such occasions continue uninterruptedly.] The people will be coming now. [He exits.] Two other ushers make a movement, throwing off a certain lazy, nonchalant manner, and getting themselves into more dignified readiness for their duties.

Douglas. [Rises, crosses to left.] I tell you, Fanshaw, this is a hard day for me.

Fanshaw. But I'm glad you decided to come. It would have made all sorts of gossip if you hadn't.

Douglas. [Sighs.] Yes. Anyway, as it's got to be now, we must all make the best of it.

Fanshaw. No one besides me dreams your life is still wrapped up in Marion Wolton.

Douglas. [Embarrassed, but pleasantly. With a half laugh.] And I suppose that ought to be some consolation, but I don't know as it is. However, I shall never be able to thank you enough for the comfort you've been. A man must have some one to talk to. And it isn't every fellow who can have a friend like you.

Fanshaw. [Embarrassed, but pleased.] Shut up! Here's Fletcher's mother; she came on from Richmond yesterday. [He goes down aisle to meet her.] And behind are those girls they want put into the front pews. [Fanshaw and Douglas exeunt. At the same moment that the two disappear, Mrs. Fletcher appears on the arm of the third usher, Trimmins.

Mrs. Fletcher. [To Trimmins, as he shows her into the first pew left.] You know Mrs. Wolton, of course?

Trimmins. The bride's mother? [Bows in affirmative.

Mrs. Fletcher. When she comes, won't you show her in here with me, please? [Trimmins bows and exits. Mrs. Fletcher sits, then kneels a moment, and then reseats herself with a touch to the trimming of the waist of her gown somewhere. Enter Fanshaw with Mrs. Lorrimer, Johnstone with Kitty, and Trimmins with Ethel; ladies outside. Ushers exeunt as soon as guests are seated.

Mrs. Lorrimer. [On being shown into the first pew down stage.] Is this the farthest front you can seat us? [In a dissatisfied tone.

Fanshaw. [Goes off right.] This is the front pew.

Mrs. Lorrimer. [Laughing.] Of course, so it is. How silly of me! [She passes to the end of the pew nearest to the audience.

Kitty. [As she follows into the pew, to Johnstone.] Are we late?

Johnstone. [Off left.] No, you're awfully early. [Trimmins off right.

Ethel. [Following into pew.] Oh, I say, girls. Isn't that a shame, we're early. [The three women are standing in the pew; they all turn around to glance back into the church, which is supposed to be filling with guests, every once in a while some one being seated by an usher in one of the pews visible to the audience. After a glance round, the three sit down.] What do you think of Douglas Rhodes being an usher?

Mrs. Lorrimer. Oh, my dear, it doesn't take these men long to get over a hopeless passion!

Kitty. If he is over it.

Gertrude. Of course he's over it, or he wouldn't be here, would he?

Mrs. Lorrimer. Every time I've tried to make love to him, he has seemed to me awfully in love with her still. [Laugh. Enter guests.

Kitty. I was wondering this morning where in the world Marion met Mr. Fletcher?

Ethel. Perhaps it was at that Christian thing-a-may-gig she's interested in.

Kitty. You mean the Young Men's Christian Association?

Ethel. Yes, I'd bet on it's being the Young Men's. [Laughs.

Mrs. Lorrimer. Oh, my dear, you know he isn't that sort of a man at all. He's much more my style!

Kitty. Well, you know none of us ever met him till he began to go to the Woltons. [Enter ushers and guests. A new selection is started on the organ and all half rise and turn, but turn back again at once into their places complacently.

Ethel. I think Marion's been getting to be a perfect stick anyway, these last few years, with all the plain covered books she reads and all her "university settlement" stuff in the slums, and her working-girls' clubs and things. But that makes it all the funnier for her to marry a man she's really not known very long, don't you think so?

Gertrude. Where did he come from anyway?

Ethel. Everywhere—which you know is as good as nowhere. He's that sort of a man.

Mrs. Lorrimer. Oh, no, his family comes from Virginia. And he's a Harvard man. [Enter Trimmins with guest to pew.] Was in the fastest set there, so he must have some position! [Laughs.

Ethel. And he's rich.

Kitty. But Marion wouldn't marry for money.

Ethel. Then why is she marrying him?

Mrs. Lorrimer. I don't know. I think she must be in love with him.

Ethel. [With a laugh.] Ha! And then everyone says she's so sensible! [Door slams. Another different selection is started on the organ and a door is shut off stage. The three women all half rise and turn again.

Kitty. Here they come!

Gertrude. No, not yet. [The three sit again with a murmur of disappointment.

Gertrude. Well. I only hope Marion will be happy,—she's taught so many others how to enjoy the best of life.

Ethel. I don't see how you can sympathize with her in her philanthropic fads! I believe in being charitable, but there's a right and a wrong way!

Kitty. [Quietly.] Yes, I don't suppose there's a fashionable subscription list in town that hasn't your name on it.

Ethel. Not one! And as near the top as I can get.

Mrs. Lorrimer. [Leaning over to speak to Ethel.] I agree with you! I went down to one of Marion's working women's evening meetings—and, really, I was bored to death.

Ethel. Isn't the church trimmed horribly; looks as if they did it themselves. It would be just like Marion to have some silly sentiment about it. [Organ stops.

Kitty. [Strongly.] I like Marion for her sentiment. I only hope she isn't marrying Fletcher because of it, in the hope that she will make his life, and perhaps have to spoil her own.

Blanche. [Leaning over and speaking to the three women in front.] Doesn't the church look lovely!

Ethel. [Who said it looked horridly.] Perfectly lovely!

Mrs. Lorrimer. Girls, who is that doddy looking creature?

All. [Turning and looking back into the church.] Where?

Mrs. Lorrimer. On the left-hand side of the aisle with a last winter's coat, don't you see, with the huge sleeves!

Ethel. Oh, yes, with the cheap fur trimming and the mangy muff—who is it?

Blanche. Oh, that! It's one of the groom's country relatives.

Mrs. Lorrimer. She looks it. The kind that gets cards only to the church. [All laugh. They rise again, excitedly, showing an increase of excitement over the first time they rose, and looking back.

Ethel. Are they coming?

Blanche. No— [General murmur of disappointment.] It's the bride's mother. [All sit again. Mrs. Wolton enters on the arm of Douglas. She is very handsomely dressed in black velvet and white lace. She is shown into the pew with Mrs. Fletcher. They exchange greetings. Douglas exits, at the same time the Clergyman enters behind the chancel rail and goes back behind the palms, &c. Meanwhile the following dialogue is taking place.

Mrs. Lorrimer. [Leaning over.] You mean how it doesn't.

Kitty. [Half turning to look back.] Susie Printly's Baltimore cousin has just come in—do you think she's a beauty?

Ethel. You mean that awfully blonde girl.

Mrs. Lorrimer. [Laughingly.] Yes, that's she. Fifty cents the small bottle, seventy-five the larger size! [All three laugh. Short pause.

Ethel. I suppose you've heard she's engaged?

Mrs. Lorrimer. No, to whom?

Ethel. Oh, only an American. [Pause.

Mrs. Lorrimer. Weddings always give me a homesick feeling. I like them so.

Kitty. Well, you've had your share of them, you know.

Mrs. Lorrimer. Not at all. I've only been married twice. Do you know who I have my eyes on now?

Kitty. No, who is it?

Mrs. Lorrimer. Mr. Dawson!

Ethel. What?

Kitty. You're serious ... to marry him.

Mrs. Lorrimer. Yes! Everyone will tell you he's one of the best men in the world.

Ethel. But my dear, that's a change for you! How'll you ever get him into the divorce court?

Mrs. Lorrimer. Nonsense! I don't want to. Haven't you heard ... my house in Dakota's for sale. I don't belong to the Divorce Club any more ... the membership is getting entirely too mixed! [They look back into the church at the people. Mrs. Wolton leans over to Mrs. Fletcher.

Mrs. Wolton. I am so nervous I could almost cry out! Oh, I shall be so relieved ... really, I can't tell you ... when the ceremony's over. [Organ. Wedding march. Fletcher and his groomsman enter in front of the chancel rails. Guests all rise, showing excitement and turning half-way face off the stage, looking down the centre aisle. Mrs. Wolton and Mrs. Fletcher stand facing the altar. Mrs. Fletcher takes Mrs. Wolton's arm affectionately and holds it tight in friendly sympathy. The faint sound is heard of boys' and men's voices singing with the organ the wedding hymn. All watch off the stage, as if following the slow movement of a procession coming up the aisle. Meanwhile the following dialogue occurs.

Ethel. The Trimmins boys are the second ushers.

Mrs. Lorrimer. Which is the one you were engaged to?

Ethel. I forget, I've flirted with them both so long, but I think it's the right hand one! [The head of the wedding procession appears. The choristers singing, followed by the six ushers, Douglas and Fanshaw leading, followed by four bridesmaids. The bride enters, leaning on the arm of Mr. Dawson; the choristers exit, and continue singing off stage softly until time indicated for them to stop. The bridesmaids and ushers take their places, grouped properly about the chancel steps. Marion stands at the centre of chancel rail, where she is joined by Fletcher, the groomsmen standing to one side of him. Dawson stands on the opposite side of Marion. The Clergyman has come forward and stands facing them on the other side of the chancel railing. The guests open their prayer-books with a flutter of the leaves. Marion gives bouquet to Dawson. Music stops for a moment.]

Mrs. Lorrimer. Look! do you see how charming Mr. Dawson appears by the chancel rails. I never saw him in a more becoming place, and if it's a possible thing I shall make a rendezvous to meet him there one day! [Music begins again softly, and accompanies the service. At first it is heard quite distinctly while the Clergyman is going through, unheard, the first part of the marriage ceremony. A short pause in the dialogue.

Ethel. [Whispers to Kitty and Mrs. Lorrimer.] How composed she is.

Mrs. Lorrimer. [Whispering back.] One would think she was a widow! I couldn't do better myself! [A short pause in the dialogue. Clergyman looks up and raises his voice a little, addressing the congregation in the church ... but not too loud so as to be too evident.

Clergyman. "If any man ... [A door is shut heavily off stage. At sound of door slam, Douglas exits and returns after Jeannette's entrance, going directly to Mrs. Wolton, who seems overcome.] can show just cause why these two persons should not lawfully be joined together ... [A commotion among the guests, who turn away from the altar, to look back into the church.] ... let him now speak. [Douglas goes top of aisle, to block the passage.] or else hereafter forever hold his peace...."

Jeannette enters, going to the foot of the chancel steps, cries "Stop!" She is a young and attractive looking woman, fashionably, but quietly dressed. All in the church are stunned. The groom, turning, sees her, and starts, but controls himself, glaring at Jeannette. Marion gazes in terror and horror at her; her bouquet drops unnoticed by her. Mrs. Wolton starts to leave her pew, but is held back and persuaded by Mrs. Fletcher to remain quietly where she is. Mr. Dawson steps down one step toward Jeannette.

Dawson. [To Jeannette.] Who are you?

Jeannette. [With a gesture toward Fletcher.] Ask him!

Dawson. What right have you to interrupt this ceremony?

Jeannette. [With a gesture as before.] Ask him!

Fletcher. She has no right! [Jeannette makes an exclamation of denial aloud.

Marion. Swear that, Ned, swear it to me before this altar.

Fletcher. [Hesitates a moment.] I swear it.

Marion. [To Clergyman.] Go on with the ceremony. [Dawson steps back to his place. The Clergyman takes up his prayer-book. Jeannette comes up one of the chancel steps.

Jeannette. Stop!

Fletcher. Is there no one here to put this woman out? [He speaks to the groomsman. Dawson speaks to Fanshaw, who exits, and immediately after the music ceases. Meanwhile the following dialogue.

Kitty. Isn't this perfectly awful! I'm going! [Going.

Ethel. I'm not. I'm going to stay.

Mrs. Lorrimer. There may be something we can do. [Kitty and Gertrude exeunt with several of the other guests.

Clergyman. [To Jeannette.] Can you show any reason why this marriage should not ... [Interrupted.

Jeannette. [Interrupting.] I can.

Clergyman. Then do so.

Jeannette. I will. [She exits quickly. Mrs. Wolton goes to the two bridesmaids up stage, who at the same time are joined by the two bridesmaids down stage. Guests go out.

Mrs. Wolton. [As she goes.] Henry! [Dawson joins them.] Take them into the choir-rooms, please. [She motions off stage. Dawson with bouquet exits. Maids exeunt. As they go, Mrs. Wolton and Douglas meet and speak. The Clergyman has been speaking to Marion. Ushers urge guests to leave and exeunt with guests after Jeannette returns.

Fletcher. [To Clergyman.] I say that woman cannot stop this ceremony. Go on!

Marion. [To Clergyman.] You heard him give me his word ... go on.

Clergyman. I am very sorry, but the church does not allow me to. I must give her the chance to prove herself. [Fletcher speaks to his groomsman, Johnstone, who exits into vestry. At the same time Jeannette re-enters, bringing by the hand a small child, Edward, with her. She leads him straight to the foot of the chancel steps, and, pointing to Fletcher, speaks. All through the rest of this scene, the child keeps hold of the skirts of the mother ... standing close to her side.

Jeannette. This is that man's child ... and mine. [Mrs. Lorrimer exits; also Ethel. Re-enter Dawson without bouquet. Fletcher speaks to the Clergyman. Mrs. Fletcher leaves the pew and joins Mrs. Wolton. Douglas joins Mrs. Lorrimer, and all the guests and ushers leave the church quietly. Marion starts to go to Mrs. Wolton.

Marion. Mother!

Jeannette. [Turning and facing Marion.] Ah!... you go to her, in what must be the greatest sorrow of your life ... well, so will he ... [With her arms around the child.] come to me when he begins to understand, and that's why I am here.

Fletcher. [To Clergyman.] Ask her for proofs! She won't have them! It is a question of her word or mine, and surely there can be no such question, when the woman is that sort of thing! [Turns to Marion.] Marion! [The Clergyman goes to Jeannette, up stage, with whom he talks. Marion joins Fletcher, and they come down the steps, but she does not look at him. Mrs. Wolton starts to go to Marion. Fletcher stops her.

Fletcher. [To Mrs. Wolton.] No. I wish to speak to Marion alone. [Mrs. Wolton and Mrs. Fletcher speak together up stage. Mrs. Wolton, turning back, faints. Dawson and Mrs. Fletcher take her out.

Fletcher. [To Marion.] Do you despise me?

Marion. I can't ... I love you.

Fletcher. I didn't deceive you, did I? You will remember I confessed that before we met my life had not been fit to be lived in the same world with you.

Marion. I know, but I didn't imagine anything so bad as this.

Fletcher. Yes, I realize that now, as it is only since I have known you that I have realized how low I was. Yet, Marion, this sort of thing exists all around us; I am not the only one ... [Interrupted.

Marion. [Interrupting.] Don't—don't try to excuse it.

Fletcher. At any rate ... it was before I knew you.

Marion. [Looking up in his face for the first time, slowly.] Since you've known me have you been good and honest?

Fletcher. [Without any hesitation, looks back at her, honestly.] Yes. [They hold this position for a moment. Clergyman leaves Jeannette. She speaks after him, following.

Jeannette. This is not legal proof, you say?

Clergyman. It is not sufficient.

Jeannette. But it's moral proof. [Marion turns and goes back to her place ... motions Fletcher to follow. He does so but almost timidly. Clergyman turns from Jeannette.] Listen! So long as he remains as he is, there's a chance that the world won't always be able to fling my boy's shame in his face. And I tell you, sir, the agony she would suffer now is nothing ... nothing to what her life with him would be. And think what it is to ... [Her emotion racks her.] watch your child, your own flesh and blood, day and night, all its life, terror-stricken ... [She controls her emotions.] lest you find some trace of his father in him!

Marion. [Turns to Clergyman.] We are waiting.

Clergyman. But ... [Interrupted.

Marion. [Interrupting.] I love him; I am not willing to give him up for that woman!

Clergyman. But she swears a compact of marriage was made.

Marion. Has she proofs? [Fletcher glares at Jeannette; his muscles grow rigid.

Clergyman. No. [Fletcher relaxes.

Marion. Very well,—I have his word against hers,—that is enough.

Clergyman. [To Fletcher.] But I believe you do not deny the child?

Fletcher. [Tentatively.] Yes ... yes, I do deny it.

Marion. [Quickly.] This man's past, sir, is not yours, nor mine. But his present does belong to me, and his future shall be mine too, to make, not hers to mar.

Fletcher. [Impatient.] Come! We've lost enough time, let's finish this. [Clergyman goes to his proper place behind the chancel rails.

Jeannette. [Coming up one of the chancel steps.] You shall not go on with this marriage.

Fletcher. [Half angry.] She has shown what she is by the way she has chosen to stop it.

Jeannette. That's a cowardly lie! And it was only when I saw by the papers that my letters had been useless that I decided to humiliate myself in this way. Do you think I would so degrade my womanhood for the sake of anything on God's earth, but one ... my child? [To Marion.] Do you think I could do anything but loathe him!... [With a gesture toward Fletcher.

Marion. But I love him.

Jeannette. So did I once. And now I'd save you if I could from all I know you'll have to suffer. Once you're his, he'll tire of you....

Marion. [Interrupting.] You forget one thing ... he is going to place a wedding-ring on my hand.

Jeannette. Well, look at that! [She rips her glove off violently, and shows a wedding-ring.] He placed it there! and said he'd take me to a church and make our compact binding.

Fletcher. [Who has started, frightened, at first, has controlled himself and speaks with intense quiet.] This woman's from the streets. She's up to all the tricks.

Jeannette. [Outraged.] How dare you! I am not what he calls me! I swear that here in this holy place. He dragged me through the streets, and any dirt upon my skirts his feet have left there.

Fletcher. Be silent. [To Clergyman.] If you will not finish the service, we will find some one who will.

Marion. [To Clergyman.] No, I will not leave here till we are married. I will not insult the man I have chosen for my husband by doubting his word for hers. I won't believe he made her what she is.

Fletcher. Marion!

Marion. Ned! [To Clergyman.] Go on! Go on with the ceremony!

Jeannette. You shall not go on! He's done his best to make me what he says I am ... and God knows he might have succeeded ... [Emotion.] but for my boy's sake I fought the fight for honour ... [Completely controlling her emotion.] The day he tricked me ... [With a look of scorn at Fletcher.] I stood before him as pure a woman as you stand now, and since he left me, there has never been an hour when I couldn't look straight into my child's eyes, not one minute I couldn't feel his two arms about my neck without a shudder.

Fletcher. [More angry.] I won't stand this!

Jeannette. [To Marion, continuing in the same key and tone as her former speech ... and pleadingly.] Don't make vows that will take away this innocent boy's name.

Marion. You must answer to your child for his name and honour.

Fletcher. [Enraged, to Jeannette.] If you don't go now I'll ... [Stops himself.

Jeannette. Before God, yours, [To Marion.] mine, ... [Clasping her hands on her breast.] and his God [With a look of scornful warning at Fletcher.], that man is his father, and my husband.

Fletcher. [In a fearful rage.] You lie! [Enter Mrs. Wolton and Mrs. Fletcher.

Marion. [Surprised ... pained.] Sh-h ... go on.

Jeannette. [Coming between Marion and Fletcher, she cries out ... a wild, heart-broken, desperate cry.] No! you shall not write Bastard on the forehead of my child!

Fletcher. [Beside himself.] By God! [He strikes Jeannette a blow ... which sounds.... Marion cries out and recoils. The two mothers step forward with exclamations of fright and anger. Dawson comes from the choir, brought by the sound of the cry, and goes to Marion. Jeannette falls when struck. The child clings with both arms about its mother's waist.

Marion. [After a moment, drawing in a long breath, to Fletcher.] Coward! [Her uncle takes a step forward to her ... he carries her wedding bouquet. She seizes it from him and dashes it at the feet of Fletcher, and then, throwing back her head with an expression of scorn, turns from him, takes the arm of her uncle with determination, and goes down the chancel steps out of the church. Fletcher stands crestfallen. Mrs. Wolton and Mrs. Fletcher look at each other, horrified, speechless.

Curtain.