POLLITT.

Then why bestow a second thought upon your beginnings?

SOPHY.

No, I suppose I oughtn’t to.  Nobody can breathe a word against my respectability.  All the same, I am quite aware that it mightn’t be over pleasant for a gentleman to remember that his wife was once—­[sitting in the screen-chair] well, a servant.

POLLITT.

[By her chair.] It would not weigh on my mind if you had been kitchen-maid [pointing out of the window] at Fletcher’s Hotel. [Looking about him.] It’s this business I don’t care for.

SOPHY.

This business!

POLLITT.

For you.  If you did no more than glide about your rooms, superintending your young ladies! [Sitting, facing her.] But I hate the idea of your sitting here, or there, holding some man’s hand in yours!

SOPHY.

[Suddenly ablaze.] Do you! [Pointing out of the window.] Yet you sit there, day after day, and hold women’s hands in yours!

POLLITT.

[Eagerly.] You are jealous of me?

SOPHY.

[Panting.] A little.

POLLITT.

[Going down upon one knee.] Ah, you do love me!

SOPHY.

[Faintly.] Fondly.

POLLITT.

And you will be my wife?

SOPHY.

Yes.

POLLITT.

[Embracing her.] My dearest!

SOPHY.

Not yet! suppose the girls saw you!

POLLITT.

Let all the world see us!

SOPHY.

[Submissively, laying her cheek upon his brow.] Oh, but I wish—­and yet I don’t wish—­

POLLITT.

What?

SOPHY.

That you were not so much my superior in every way.

POLLITT.

[In an altered voice.] Sophy.

SOPHY.

[In a murmur, her eyes closed.] Eh-h-h?

POLLITT.

I have had my early struggles too.

SOPHY.

You, love?

POLLITT.

Yes.  If you should ever hear—­

SOPHY.

Hear—?

POLLITT.

That until recently I was a solicitor’s clerk—­

SOPHY.

[Slightly surprised.] A solicitor’s clerk?

POLLITT.

You would not turn against me?

SOPHY.

Ah, as if—!

POLLITT.

You know my real name is Pollitt—­Frank Toleman Pollitt?

SOPHY.

I’ve heard it isn’t really Valma. [With a little shiver.] Never mind that.

POLLITT.

But I shall be Frank to you henceforth, shan’t I?

SOPHY.

Oh, no, no! always Valma to me—­[dreamily] my Valma. [Their lips meet in a prolonged kiss.  Then the door-gong sounds.] Get up! [They rise in a hurry.  She holds his hand tightly.] Wait and see who it is.  Oh, don’t go for a minute! stay a minute!