ETHEL [with dignity].  No—­you need make no denial for yourselves.

[To PIKE, haughtily.]

Do you think I would believe that an English noble would stoop—­

PIKE [with passionate indignation].  Stoop!  Why, ten years ago in St. Petersburg there was a poor revolutionist who, in his crazy patriotism, took government money for the cause he believed in.  He made the mistake of keeping that money in his house, when this man [pointing at HAWCASTLE] knew it was there.  He also made the mistake of having a wife that this man coveted and stole—­as he coveted and stole the money.  Oh, he made a good job of it!  Don’t think that to-night is the first time he has given information to the police.  He did it then, and the husband went to Siberia—­

HAWCASTLE [staggered and enraged].  A dastardly slander!

PIKE [in a ringing voice].—­and he’ll do it again to-night.  I go to an Italian jail [he suddenly swings his outstretched hand to point to MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY, continuing without pause] and, by the living God, that same poor devil of a husband goes back to Siberia!

[MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY, with an ejaculation of horror and fright, staggers back.]

HAWCASTLE [in extreme agitation].  It’s a ghastly lie!

PIKE.  You came for your answer.  Here it is.

[Calls sharply.]

Ivanoff!

[IVANOFF appears in the doorway on the right.  He advances, lifts both clinched fists above MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY’S head.]

[MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY, with a shuddering cry, falls on her knees in an attitude of fright and abasement.]

MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY.  Ivan!—­oh, Mother of God!—­Ivan!  Don’t kill me—­

[IVANOFF shudders with weakness, trembles violently, collapses into chair, she still at his feet.  IVANOFF sobbing.]

HORACE [starting toward her in extreme agitation].  Helene!

PIKE [sternly to HORACE].  You keep back, she’s his wife.

[Pointing to HAWCASTLE.]

And there stands his best friend!

HAWCASTLE.  It’s a lie!  I never saw the man before in my life.

PIKE [grimly, with a gesture toward MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY].  The lady seems to recognize him.

HAWCASTLE.  Almeric, go for the police.  Call them quickly!

[His voice loud and hoarse.]

MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY [springs to her feet, protesting].  No—­no—­I can’t!

PIKE [with his hand on IVANOFF’S shoulder].  Call them in—­we’re ready.

[To ETHEL.]

But I want you always to remember that I considered it cheap at the price.

[ETHEL, in an agony of shame, turns from him.  At same time MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY, never taking her eyes from IVANOFF’S face, and showing great fear, moves back near HAWCASTLE.]

ALMERIC [opening the upper doors and calling].  Tell that officer to bring his men in here!

[VASILI enters briskly from the hall.]