Chapter 7

_The same morning, three hours later. The curtain rises on the same scene in a dull, cold, early morning light. The lamp has burnt itself out. A tiny ray of sunlight steals through a slip between the curtains. JINNY sits by the table, her arms spread over it and her head on her arms--she is perfectly still. AUSTIN'S picture is before her. There is a moment's silence. Voices are heard outside, approaching door, at Right. Gradually what they say is distinguished._

MAGGIE. No, sir. She hasn't been to bed; I've been to her bedroom--that door's not unlocked.

TILLMAN. She's been here all night?

MAGGIE. Yes, sir. But twice in the night, sir, I came to the door and spoke to her and she wouldn't answer me--but I could hear her walking up and down and sometimes talking to herself.

TILLMAN. [_Calls softly._] Jinny! [_Knocks softly._] It's father! [_No answer._] It looks as if she were asleep now.

AUSTIN. [_At a little distance._] Father!

TILLMAN. I'm outside the library door.

AUSTIN. [_Nearer._] I can't wait--have you seen her? Will she see me?

TILLMAN. She's locked herself in here. She's not been to her own room.

AUSTIN. Not been to bed at all! Poor Jinny--God forgive me.

TILLMAN. Maggie says she's walked the floor all night.

[_He knocks on the door Right._

AUSTIN. [_Outside the door, Right, rather softly._] Jinny! I'm so sorry! I can't say how sorry! I've thought it out through the night, and I think I understand things better. [_He waits a moment for an answer._] Jinny, answer me! you shall be as jealous as you like, and I'll always explain and kiss away those doubts of yours, and I'll have no more secrets from you, dear. Not one! Jinny! [_As he calls there is a slight movement of one of JINNY'S arms. With a note of alarm._] Father! I can't hear a sound of breathing! [_A moment's pause as they listen._] She threatened it--she threatened it several times! [_With great determination._] We must get into this room--do you hear me--we must get in if we have to break the door down! [_They shake the door. He calls a little louder._] Jinny, Jinny darling--do you hear me? [_JINNY makes a sort of feeble effort to lift her head, but fails._] Jinny, for God's sake, answer me! I love you Jinny--_Jinny!_ [_Very slowly JINNY lifts her head and, with difficulty, she hears as if in a dream; she is dazed, barely alive._] She doesn't answer!

TILLMAN. See if the key is in the lock.

AUSTIN. No.

TILLMAN. Get the other keys, Maggie.

AUSTIN. _Father!_ Gas! Don't you smell it?

TILLMAN. What!

AUSTIN. Gas, I tell you! O God! she's killed herself! Jinny! Jinny!

[_Beating the door._

[_JINNY staggers up, she tries to call "Jack"--but the word only comes out in a half-articulate whisper! She tries again, but fails._

MAGGIE. Here's a key, sir.

[_JINNY tries to go to the door; she staggers a few steps and then falls._

[_They try one key--it does not unlock the door; they try another._

[_JINNY half raises herself and makes an effort to crawl, but is unable and sinks back upon the floor._

AUSTIN. Break the door in, father! We daren't waste any more time!

TILLMAN. No, this has done it!

[_They open the door and rush in. They stop aghast at JINNY and the oppressiveness of the gas in the room._

TILLMAN. Jinny!

AUSTIN. Quick--the window! [_TILLMAN tears aside the curtains and throws open the window. The sunshine of full morning pours in. He then rushes to the opposite gas burners and turns them off. Kneeling quickly beside her._] _Jinny! My wife!_ My beloved!

[_He takes her up in his arms and hurries to the window._

TILLMAN. Are we too late?

AUSTIN. I don't know. No! she's breathing--and see--see!--she knows me!--she knows me! [_JINNY smiles at him pathetically._] Send Maggie for the doctor!

[_TILLMAN goes out Right._

AUSTIN. Jinny, forgive me! Forgive me! Forgive me! [_She slips her two arms up and joins them about his neck. AUSTIN kisses her._] Father! We've saved her! Oh, thank God, we've saved her!

[_Bringing her to big chair and putting her in it, he kneels at her feet._

JINNY. [_Whispers faintly._] _Dear Jack!_ You forgive _me_--all my beastly jealousy?

AUSTIN. There's one thing stronger even than jealousy, my Jinny. And that's LOVE! That's _LOVE_!

[_He kisses her hands, and_

THE CURTAIN FALLS

* * * * *

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