[Exit Mrs. S., Charlotte and Cupid. Winthrop stands looking in
a longing way at Fair, who follows her mother with her eyes
'till she is off, then she slowly turns.
Fair. We owe you more than we can ever pay. Won't you come in and
rest?
Winth. (comes closer as though to take her hand). You, too, Fair?
Fair. What else? You are our--enemy!
Winth. (his voice choked with passion). No. God knows I wear this
uniform because I think it right. But if it make me an enemy to you, I
would to God I'd never seen it. You loved me once, Fair. Two years is
not so very long--yet have you changed? Ah! no, no. You cannot look at
me like that and say you hate me!
[With a sudden, wild impulse, Fair has drawn very near to him.
Fair (draws back with an effort). I must not. You hear me! I must not.
Winth. But if you love me, Fair.
Fair (looks up with a strange, wild, longing look in her face,
then quickly covers her eyes with her hand. She is trembling so, she can
hardly stand. She raises her face to his: all the passion is none; she
is paler than the dead. Her words come slowly, hardly above a whisper).
But I--don't love you!
[Winthrop takes a step backward, his face very white and drawn.
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