it! You oughtn't to have told me! It's too cruel!

_Jack._ Belle, don't take on that way!

_Belle._ I tell you it's too late. Too late! _(She sobs
convulsively.)_

_Jack (in anguish)._ Belle! Belle! You mustn't give up like that!
Listen to me, dear!

_Belle._ Wait! Wait! Don't talk to me!

_Jack._ You're exhausted, dear. Come--lie down. _(He leads her off
Right; speaks off.)_ There, lie and rest. Don't talk any more now.
_(Returns; speaks in entrance.)_ Be quiet, and see if you can't go
to sleep! _(He paces the room, muttering to himself.)_ No, I can't
stand it. This is no joke. It's no part of the game. I must save
Belle's life--I'd no right to wait this long. _(With sudden
resolution.)_ I'll write to Jessie. She'll come and help her.
Bargain or no bargain, I'll write! _(Vehemently.)_ You go to the
devil, Bob--I don't care how much you tease me! Yes! Yes! The
reality of life! I'm getting it all right. And I've got to knuckle
down and take what teasing comes to me. My God, what a fool I
was--what a drivelling fool! And I'll lose my quarter of a million!
I don't care--I've got to save Belle! I'll write to-night! _(Takes
pencil and paper, sits at table and writes. The door Left opens
softly, and Dolly appears, haggard and anxious.)_

_Dolly._ You here! Where's Belle?