Step by step FRANKLIN follows him, till GODFREY is brought to a stand-still by the fireplace. The other persons present--CUFF included--all eagerly advance on the right, watching the same. FRANKLIN speaks to GODFREY as he spoke to him towards the close of the First Act.)
Franklin (in his sleep). Godfrey! I'm uneasy about the safety of the diamond. Take the Moonstone to your father's bank. (He hands the diamond to GODFREY. A faint cry of indignation escapes RACHEL--suppressed so that it is just audible, and no more. GODFREY'S hands fall helplessly at his sides. The diamond drops on the carpet at his feet. FRANKLIN turns away, slowly and warily, towards the stairs. Instead of ascending them, as before, he stops, lays his arm on one of the carved pillars by which the balusters of the stairs are terminated on either side, and languidly rests his head on it. The persons present all watch him intently. RACHEL approaches him. MR. CANDY stops her.)
Mr. Candy (whispering). Don't disturb him! His dream is passing away. He feels the approach of the deeper sleep. (MR. CANDY, assisted by RACHEL, wheels an arm-chair towards the middle of the stage. FRANKLIN is placed in the chair, and reclines, sleeping peacefully. MR. CANDY and RACHEL stand on either side of the chair, watching him. GODFREY moves as if to leave the hall. CUFF, followed by BETTEREDGE and MISS CLACK, advances, so as to stand in the way of his departure, and speaks to him.)
Cuff. Stop a minute, sir! We may as well understand each other before you go. Mr. Blake offered you the Moonstone last night, walking in his sleep, just as he has offered it to you now. Last night, you were alone with him upstairs, and you took it. Down here, there are witnesses present, and you let it drop. (He picks up the diamond, and shows it to GODFREY.) Don't you know it again?
Godfrey. I don't understand you.
Cuff. Oh yes, you do! Didn't I tell you of that commonplace case of mine, that I left in London? It was a Charitable Society, sir, that employed me to recover the stolen money, and you, being treasurer, were one of the officers privately reckoned up by the police. I made the necessary inquiries myself. I found out your private villa in the suburbs, and your contraband lady with the carriage and jewels--
Godfrey (taking out his white handkerchief). Oh!!! (He hides his face in his handkerchief. RACHEL and MISS CLACK, both listening, both express indignation and disgust.)
Cuff (pointing to GODFREY). Lord! what virtue there is in a white handkerchief! I was also informed, sir, through your servant, of your visit to Miss Rachel's house. I was on my way here to arrest you on suspicion of embezzlement, when I got Mr. Blake's telegram. The society's audit-day was close at hand, you know; and the Moonstone offered you a chance of replacing the stolen money, if you were really the man who had taken it. I believed you were the man, when I found you so devilish anxious to assist me. It was cleverly intended, sir, but you overdid it. Thanks to your interference, I had the policeman ready to follow you. He traced you from Frizinghall to London; and he followed you to Mr. Luker, the money-lender. The telegraph did the rest. Is it all pretty clear now, sir? Don't you think you had better get away while you have the chance? (GODFREY stands irresolute. CUFF turns to RACHEL, standing behind him, and offers her the Moonstone.) Your diamond, miss. (RACHEL refuses to take it. CUFF offers the diamond to BETTEREDGE next. BETTEREDGE draws back from it in horror. CUFF places the Moonstone on the writing-table.)
Godfrey (turning to RACHEL, with his white handkerchief to his eyes). Rachel! (RACHEL recoils from him in disgust. He appeals next to MISS CLACK.) Miss Clack! (MISS CLACK turns away like RACHEL. GODFREY walks slowly towards the hall door, then turns to say his last words.)
Godfrey (in his oratorical manner). The poet has said: "To err is human, to forgive divine." My defence, ladies and gentlemen, is entirely comprised in that grand line. Properly understood, I am that essentially pardonable person, the victim of circumstances. Farewell!
(He bows and goes out.)
Betteredge (to CUFF). Sergeant, you're not going to let that damned rogue escape scot-free?
Cuff. Don't alarm yourself, Mr. Betteredge. The policeman is outside. (He looks at FRANKLIN sleeping in the chair, with RACHEL and MR. CANDY on either side of him). Still fast asleep, sir?
Mr. Candy. Yes. (CUFF walks away, and takes a last look at the roses near the garden window. MR. CANDY turns to RACHEL.) I will keep watch, Miss Rachel, till he wakes.
Rachel. Nobody shall watch him but me! Leave me, all of you, to be the first who sees him and speaks to him when he opens his eyes. My heart is set on it--pray indulge me! (MR. CANDY and BETTEREDGE approach to take leave of RACHEL. She is absorbed in FRANKLIN, and answers by signs only. CUFF remains near the roses. MISS CLACK goes to the writing-table, lights a candle standing on it, and writes a telegram, very slowly, as if it costs her considerable thought.)
Mr. Candy. Miss Rachel, has the Irish porter justified my confidence in him? (RACHEL gives MR. CANDY her hand--he kisses it.) Accept my congratulations. Good-night! (He goes out by the hall door.)
Betteredge. I have only one remark to make, miss, in wishing you good-night in my turn. As an old servant of the family, you might have let me into the secret a little sooner. My duty to Mr. Franklin when he wakes, and Heaven grant you a speedy marriage! (He follows MR. CANDY.)
Cuff (approaching RACHEL). Might I ask a great favour before I go back to London? Might I take one cutting from the roses there? (RACHEL smiles, and bows her head.) Thank you, miss. (He takes the cutting, and holds it up in triumph.) My rose-garden shall begin with this! And--excuse me, Miss Rachel--there will be grass walks between my flower-beds. No gravel! no gravel! (He follows BETTEREDGE.)
Miss Clack (rising from the table). All blessings attend you, dear Rachel! I have a telegram to send to London the first thing in the morning. May I give it to the servants over-night? (RACHEL assents. MISS CLACK reads her telegram over to herself.) Have I been sufficiently explicit? Let me see. (She reads). "Miss Clack, to the Mothers'-Small-Clothes-Conversion-Society. Beware of Mr. Godfrey. He is perfectly capable of stealing our trousers." (She goes out by the hall door.)
Rachel (alone with FRANKLIN). How peacefully he sleeps! How pale and worn he looks! My love! my love! if ever a woman made a man happy, your life shall be a happy one with me! (She rises, and looks towards the hall door, which is left open). Why have they left the door open? He may feel the draught. (She goes to the hall door and closes it. Returning to him, she passes the writing-table, and notices the gleam of the diamond in the light of the candle which MISS CLACK has left burning.) You hateful Moonstone, you shall never be an ornament of mine! I'll sell you to-morrow; and the money shall be a fund for the afflicted and the poor. (She returns to FRANKLIN, and leans over the back of the chair, looking down at him.) This is my jewel! Shall I disturb him if I kiss him? I must kiss him! (Still standing behind the chair, she stoops over and touches his forehead with her lips. He starts, and opens his eyes.)
Rachel (starting back). Oh, I've woke him!
Franklin (looking up, bewildered). Who is it?
Rachel (bending over him again). Only your wife! (The curtain falls slowly.)