_Mr. S._ I fear that the surprise of my appearance here is but the first of a series of surprises in store for you.
_Dr. A._ Leave my house, sir! (_To SMAILEY._)
_Mr. S._ Nay, nay. I am here in the discharge of a high public duty, and I propose to remain. Come, Dr. Athelney, is this quite considerate? Is this quite as it should be? You are a minister of the Church, about to be invested with the very highest Colonial functions. In affording shelter to this unhappy person, have you not allowed your sympathy for her misfortunes to blind you to the fact that you are a clergyman?
_Dr. A._ Sir, I never had my duty as a clergyman so strongly before my eyes as when I placed my home at the disposal of this admirable lady. And, believe me, sir, I never felt so strongly disposed to forget my duty as a clergyman as I do at this moment. My hands are tied. Ted, my boy, these remarks do not apply to you.
_Ted._ Mr. Smailey, if you’ll come with me, I’ll see you out.
_Fitz._ (_to TED_). See him out? Nonsense. Hear him out. He’s worth listening to, I can tell you.
_Mr. S._ Miss Brandreth (_to MRS. VAN BRUGH_), when you denied having ever gone through the form of marriage with Captain Van Brugh, I considered it my duty, as a magistrate accustomed to deal with evidence, to disbelieve you. At the suggestion of my solicitor (_aside, to FITZ_) A lie, sir, for you are no solicitor; heaven forgive you! (_Aloud._) At his suggestion I advertised for the burial certificate of the late Mrs. Van Brugh. That advertisement has been answered.
_Fitz._ That advertisement has been answered.
_Mr. S._ The person who answered it is at this moment waiting without.
_Mr. S._ And, with or without your permission, shall be introduced.
_Mr. S._ Mr. Fitz Partington shall introduce him.
_Fitz._ It ain’t a _him_, it’s a _her_. (_Opens door, and discovers RUTH._)
_Mr. S._ What does this mean? Is this a hoax? (_Indignantly, to FITZ PARTINGTON._)
_Fitz._ Is this a hoax? (_Appealing to the others_).
_Ruth._ Want to help you agin _her_. (_Indicating MRS. VAN BRUGH._)
_Mr. S._ Do you mean this, Tredgett? (_Crosses to RUTH._)
_Ruth._ Ay, I mean it, Smailey. It’s justice; and justice must be done. It was done agin me, years ago, and why not agin her now?