Theft Part 46

I knew you would come. Strange that I had to send for you so soon after last night--

(_With alarm and sudden change of manner._) What is the matter? You are sick. Your hand is cold.

(_She warms it in both of her hands._)

{Knox}

It is flame or freeze with me.

(_Smiling._) And I'd rather flame.

{Margaret}

(_Becoming aware that she is warming his hand._)

Sit down and tell me what is the matter.

(_Leading him by the hand she seats him, at the same time seating herself._)

{Knox}

(_Abruptly._) After you left last night, Hubbard stole those doc.u.ments back again.

{Margaret}

(_Very matter-of-fact._) Yes; he was in your bedroom while I was there.

{Knox}

(_Startled._) How do you know that? Anyway, he did not know who you were.

{Margaret}

Oh yes he did.

{Knox}

(_Angrily._) And he has dared--?

{Margaret}

Yes; not two hours ago. He announced the fact before my father, my mother, Connie, the servants, everybody.

{Knox}

(_Rising to his feet and beginning to pace perturbedly up and down._) The cur!

{Margaret} (_Quietly._) I believe, among other things, I told him he was that myself.

(_She laughs cynically._) Oh, it was a pretty family party, I a.s.sure you. Mother said she didn't believe it--but that was only hysteria. Of course she believes it--the worst. So does Connie--everybody.

{Knox}

(_Stopping abruptly and looking at her horror-stricken._) You don't mean they charged----?

{Margaret}

No; I don't mean that. I mean more. They didn't charge. They accepted it as a proven fact that I was guilty. That you were my--lover.

{Knox}

On that man's testimony?

{Margaret}

He had two witnesses in an adjoining room.

{Knox}

(_Relieved._) All the better. They can testify to nothing more than the truth, and the truth is not serious. In our case it is good, for we renounced each other.

{Margaret}

You don't know these men. It is easy to guess that they have been well trained. They would swear to anything.

(_She laughs bitterly._) They are my father's men, you know, his paid sleuth-hounds.

{Knox}

(_Collapsing in chair, holding head in hands, and groaning._) How you must have suffered. What a terrible time, what a terrible time! I can see it all--before everybody--your nearest and dearest. Ah, I could not understand, after our parting last night, why you should have sent for me today. But now I know.

{Margaret}

No you don't, at all.

{Knox}

(_Ignoring her and again beginning to pace back and forth, thinking on his feet._) What's the difference? I am ruined politically. Their scheme has worked out only too well. Gifford warned me, you warned me, everybody warned me. But I was a fool, blind--with a fool's folly. There is nothing left but you now.

(_He pauses, and the light of a new thought irradiates his face._) Do you know, Margaret, I thank G.o.d it has happened as it has. What if my usefulness is destroyed? There will be other men--other leaders. I but make way for another. The cause of the people can never be lost. And though I am driven from the fight, I am driven to you. We are driven together. It is fate. Again I thank G.o.d for it.

(_He approaches her and tries to clasp her in his arms, but she steps back._)

{Margaret}

(_Smiling sadly._) Ah, now you flame. The tables are reversed. Last night it was I. We are fortunate that we choose diverse times for our moods--else there would be naught but one sweet melting mad disaster.

{Knox}