Meantime Mertoun has asked Tresham for Mildred's hand in marriage, and these lovers, receiving his consent, hope that their sin will be purged.

Then Gerard tells his story.

Tresham summons Mildred.
She confesses the lover, and Tresham demands his name.

To reveal the name would have saved the situation, as we guess from Tresham's character.

His love would have had time to conquer his pride.