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[Turns to, gratefully taking his hand and pressing it]

Poor dear Ned, you’ve always had to give! How can I ever thank you?

[With an ironical smile—forcing a joking tone]

By refusing me when I ask you to marry me! For I’ve got to ask you! Gordon expects it! And he’ll be so pleased when he knows you turned me down.

[ comes out of the house]

Hello, here comes Charlie. I must hurry. Will you marry me, Nina?

[With a sad smile]

No. Certainly not. Our ghosts would torture us to death!

[Then forlornly]

But I wish I did love you, Ned! Those were wonderful afternoons long ago! The Nina of those afternoons will always live in me, will always love her lover, Ned, the father of her baby!

[Lifting her hand to his lips—tenderly]

Thank you for that! And that Ned will always adore his beautiful Nina! Remember him! Forget me! I’m going back to work.

[He laughs softly and sadly]

I leave you to Charlie. You’d better marry him, Nina—if you want peace. And after all, I think you owe it to him for his life-long devotion.