Miss Gilpin monologue — The Straw

(_with a sad smile_) I'm glad you feel that way. It shouldn't be hard now for you to convince her. But I know Eileen. She will never consent--for your sake--until she is well again. And stop and think, Mr. Murray. Even if she did consent to marry you right now the shock--the excitement--it would be suicide for her. I would have to warn her against it myself; and you wouldn't propose it if you knew the danger to her in her present condition. She hasn't long to live, at best. I've talked with Dr. Stanton. I know. God knows I would be the first one to hold out hope if there was any. There isn't. It's merely a case of prolonging the short time left to her and making it happy. You must bear that in mind--as a fact!