A pause._] Why don't you answer--why don't
you say something?
AUSTIN. Because if I speak as I feel, I'm afraid of saying something
I'll regret all my life!
JINNY. You don't deny, then?
AUSTIN. Yes! that is due to Ruth. Whatever you may feel about _me_, you
have no _right_ to _insult_ her!
JINNY. Oh, _there's more to_ the letter!
AUSTIN. Jinny, don't you see what you're doing?
JINNY. Yes, I'm getting at the truth at last! [_Reads._] "My heart aches
for the blow you must have this evening! The man who loves you--"
AUSTIN. You shan't read any more; you're mad now!
[_Tearing the letter away from her._
JINNY. I don't need the letter, the words are burning in here!
[_Pressing her hands to her forehead._] "The man who loves you isn't
bad, only weak. However, I feel once we can shake off the burden of
_this present marriage_"--oh! you--you _brute_ to say that!--"you will
never have cause to complain of him again! So far I have been able to
keep Jinny in perfect ignorance, but I feel the blow must fall upon her
now--"
[_Interrupted._
AUSTIN. Shall I tell you _the truth_?
JINNY.
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