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Lattin

      But you are sure it is me you have come to see?

      Doctor

      It is you.

      Mrs. Lattin

      Mrs. Lattin?

      [He bows his head.

      In this street and house—13 Bristol Square?

      Doctor

      This street, this square (moves nearer and puts his hand upon her head), this very house you occupy—for the moment.

      [She stares at him. They smile. She is aware of another meaning in his words. A touch of awe shows in her manner.

      Mrs. Lattin

      (Low.) This—body?

      Doctor

      Which, for the moment, you—are occupying, Little Child.

      Mrs. Lattin

      (Awed.) You know that name! My husband’s secret name!

      Doctor

      It is—your name.

      [He moves back a step so that she can see the picture. One hand he stretches towards her as in blessing. Her eyes turn from the Egyptian night-scene to his face again.

      Mrs. Lattin

      (Softly, to herself.) My little secret love-name. It is too marvellous—this. I am completely at a loss to—(breaks off, as he looks down and smiles at her).

      Doctor

      Love names truly always.

      Mrs. Lattin

      He … has … always … called me so.

      Doctor

      He has loved you truly—always.

      Mrs. Lattin

      (Sitting up.) But you know everything in the world! Who are you—really? (Awe increases in her.)

      Doctor

      I am the Doctor.

      Mrs. Lattin

      Doctor! The greatest calling in world! A doctor’s powers——

      Doctor

      Are, by rights, divine.

      Mrs. Lattin

      Life or death——

      Doctor

      Life and death.

      Mrs. Lattin

      (Hushed.) But—you are more than doctor; you are also—Priest.

      Doctor

      I am at your service.

      Mrs. Lattin

      (Light breaking on her face. She stretches out a hand to him. He takes it.) To heal me. I feel great power pouring from you—into me. It is like wind and fire.

      Doctor

      Life is a wind and fire. It is life you feel. Your claim is great, because of your great wish, your true desire. You deserve. And I have come.

      Mrs. Lattin

      (Puzzled.) Deserve! My great desire! My claim … !

      Doctor

      Your sickness is not of the heart, but of the soul. Your desire was prayer.

      Mrs. Lattin

      You have read my heart.

      Doctor

      Little Child, it is in your eyes.

      Mrs. Lattin

      And you know my very soul.

      Doctor

      Little Child, I am come to heal it.

      Mrs. Lattin

      Recovery! You said recovery. While I lie dying here by inches!

      Doctor

      You love.

      Mrs. Lattin

      With all my heart.

      Doctor

      And—soul?

      [He looks questioningly down at her with great tenderness. Her expression shows the dawn of comprehension.

      Mrs. Lattin

      (Very low.) I love—wrongly—somewhere. I forgot—my soul. And I have wrecked him, wrecked his life, his work.

      Doctor

      (To himself.) Again.

      Mrs. Lattin

      (Not catching his word.) Is there recovery for that? Can you heal that?

      Doctor

      He does not question your love for him?

      Mrs. Lattin

      He is too big-hearted. He has sacrificed all for me. It is regret and remorse that kill me now—they bring death more quickly. If only I could understand!

      Doctor

      You shall.

      Mrs. Lattin

      (Bitterly.) When it is too late. Can you give recovery for that? Can the forgiveness that I crave—his forgiveness—undo what has been? (Hides her face and sobs.) I must die without forgiveness.

      Doctor

      Recovery begins with understanding.

      Mrs. Lattin

      I want his forgiveness.

      Doctor

      You must—forgive yourself.

      Mrs. Lattin

      Oh, oh, I do not understand. My remorse goes with me even into the grave.

      Doctor

      Remorse brings weakness. The forgiveness of another affects that other only.

      Mrs. Lattin

      (Looking up.) Yes?

      Doctor

      Understand. Then, without regret, go forward. To forgive yourself is—true forgiveness.

      Mrs. Lattin

      I feel something wonderful in you. Your words bring life again. … I. … There seems something I remember—remember almost—very dim and far away. … (Her eye falls upon the Egyptian picture. She gazes fascinated at it.) The stars … the river … are rising, surely. …

      Doctor

      You remember—life. And life shall teach you this.

      Mrs. Lattin

      Life! My life! Oh, what is it rising in me? A curtain lifts. I see … myself. Ah, now it goes again. … The pain … the pain is awful! It all has been before somewhere, I know. … Have I done this before, then? If only I could see, I might understand.

      Doctor

      You shall see. Understanding shall bring recovery.

      [As he speaks he retires slowly backwards towards the open door. Her eyes remain fixed upon the picture.

      Mrs. Lattin

      Recovery! I half remember. … I begin to … understand … !

      Doctor

      The soul reaps ever its own harvest, for the soul is linked to all its past.

      Mrs.

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