[_Family subsides. Everybody happy. THEODORE steps up, opens prayer-book._
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God----"
Theodore! are you going to marry Rex and Jean?
Of course, of course, Mr. Baker's chaplain.
Theodore! You! Are you going to stand up and tell the world that God has joined those two together--GOD?
[_THEODORE looks at JOHN but does not deny it and says nothing._
Then you will be blaspheming love--and God who made it. No, you shall not marry us.
Some things are too sacred to be profaned.
Your love too sacred for the Church? The Church has a name for such love! The world a name for such women!
A rotten world! A kept Church! Come, let's get away from it all! Come!
[_HELEN offers her hand in farewell to LUCY, but JOHN shields her from HELEN'S touch, then to JEAN. REX shields JEAN from contamination, but JEAN weeps._
Stop! You cannot! The very tie that binds you to this woman binds you to us and to the whole world with hooks of steel! [_The lovers are still going, JUDGE ascends steps, facing them._] For the last time! before too late! ERNEST! You _know_ that in the eyes of God you _are_ taking this woman to be your wife.
In the eyes of _God_, I _do_ take Helen to be my wife--but----
I take Ernest to be my husband in the eyes of God, but----
[_raises his hand augustly and in a voice of authority_]
Then, since you, Ernest, and you, Helen, have made this solemn declaration before God and in the presence of witnesses, I, by the authority vested in me by the laws of this State do now pronounce you man and wife!
[_MR. and MRS. HAMILTON look at each other bewildered. Meanwhile the silence has been pierced, first by a little hysterical scream from JEAN, then the others all wake up and crowd about the happy pair, congratulating them. The women who had snubbed HELEN before cover her with kisses, for now she is fit for their embraces._
Saved! Saved! Respectable at last, thank God. [_Raising his glass and hammering for attention._] Here's to the bride and groom.
[_when the noise dies down. As the others kiss HELEN_]
A moment ago you were a bad woman. Now [_to all_] behold! she is a good woman. Marriage is wonderful.
[_JOHN and LUCY run to JUDGE and shake hands._