END OF THE SECOND ACT.
A sitting-room inCarlyon'shouse; time, 10p.m. Doors left and right; also in right back corner opening into veranda with aviary.Elizabethis in the aviary crooning to her Himalayan eagles;Carlyonis writingl.c.;Vera,with theBritish Medical Journalin her hand, watches him rather anxiously till he ceases and begins to read over his letter, then she rises and comes up to him.
Vera.
Are you busy, Father?
Carlyon.
I am only reasoning with Her Majesty's Government. There, copy that![Gives her the draft letter.
Vera.
There is a thing you ought perhaps to see in this paper—some experiments of Dr. Steinmetz.[Offering him theB. M. J.
Carlyon.
[Sharply.] What paper?
Vera.
Only theBritish Medical Journal. You said I could keep it on.
Carlyon.
You have given up all the others?
Vera.
Yes. All except this. There is an article here——[Offers it to him again: he does not take it.
Carlyon.
Do you care about this one?
Vera.
[With a sigh and a smile.] I have read it all through three times.
Carlyon.
[Rising; peremptorily.] Vera, I don't offer you my work as apis aller. If you wish to go back to your medicine. . . .
Vera.
Dr. Rheinhardt has definitely forbidden me!
Carlyon.
You could win Rheinhardt round in ten minutes. The point is—do you wish it?
Vera.
[Dispiritedly.] Oh, no; I want only to serve you. When you first spoke of making me your secretary, it came to me like a ray of sunlight.
Carlyon.
But now you have regrets?
Vera.
No. I always felt a sort of doubt and fear of things when I depended on myself; and now that is all gone.
Carlyon.
You don't feel at home in my world yet; naturally.
Vera.
I think I do. It is so restful to have you to guide me and judge for me. Only I do enjoy this old thing—[showing theB. M. J.]—and it takes very little time.
Carlyon.
It is not a question of time; it is a question of divided allegiance.
Vera.
I will give it up it you think right, father.
Carlyon.
No, not just yet. Here are three more letters. [Hands them to her.] Decline that. Agree to that. Tell the Deputation to come on the 15th at 10a.m.
Vera.
Yes.
Carlyon.
Also write out a telegram. [Looks at her and pauses.]No; that is all. Take them upstairs; I may want to dictate something.
Vera.
Yes.
[ExitVera. Carlyonsits again.Elizabeth,who has approached from the veranda, looks atCarlyonquestioningly.
Carlyon.
Well, Elizabeth?[Not looking up, absently.
Elizabeth.
[Standing above him.] Aren't you hard upon her? She did so love her medicine! And she has hardly any of her old light-heartedness left.
Carlyon.
She has got some, and I shall have to take that away. Do you know, Elizabeth, you were light-hearted once?
Elizabeth.
But you won't make her like me?
Carlyon.
Precisely, except that she'll be cleverer. Isuppose you are happy enough at the end of the process?
Elizabeth.
Oh,Iam happy if only I can satisfy you. But she will never quite give herself up.
Carlyon.
Oh yes, she will! Why, already she follows without question every word I speak!
Elizabeth.
[Coming round in front of him.] Every spoken word, I should hope so! But what about your unspoken thoughts and feelings? Oh, youknowshe will never be like me. Can you bringherin from another room by wishing for her? Doesshecome in smiling if you are glad, and sad if you are angry? [Carlyonshrugs his shoulders.] Has there ever been any one but me like that?
Carlyon.
[With a laugh.] Well, Selim for one! And the late Khan of Bhojâl for another! However, since you can read my feelings, do you know what is the matter with me to-night?
Elizabeth.
No, I know that you are troubled.
Carlyon.
I have had letters from Rajpoor; that man Adene has come back across the frontier from Bhojâl. And that's not all; read this.[Gives her a letter.
Elizabeth.
[Reading.] Well, when once you let him go——
Carlyon.
A sick half-dying man like that—the chances were enormous against his ever returning.
Elizabeth.
[Reading.] What is all this long description of the man who has come back with him? "A huge one-armed Mahometan——"
Carlyon.
[Repeating from memory.] "With a fixed glazed look as though he were seeing something horrible." Bah! that's enough. [Takes letter.] And now he is on his way to Koreb at Travancore.
Elizabeth.
What does it mean? I never knew what you did to Koreb.
Carlyon.
No, buthedoes!
Elizabeth.
How can you tell?
Carlyon.
I know the man who is with him. I do not forget that look.
Elizabeth.
Oh! why won't you letmehelp you?
Carlyon.
There is no difficulty. I'll have Adene back at once to be operated upon.
Elizabeth.
Surely he knows that an operation is not possible?
Carlyon.
If Vera writes to him that itispossible, he'll come!
Elizabeth.
Vera? Oh, do take care! She might obey you in everything else, but you'll have to deceive her about him.
Carlyon.
I shall not deceive her. If she flinches, I shall tell her a little truth.
Elizabeth.
Truth? [Nervously.] Do you mean you will tell her about me, or something you have never told me? She won't bear it!
Carlyon.
Of course she won't. I should like to see her bear a thing that I mean to crush her!
Elizabeth.
[Suddenly throwing herself down and kissing his hand.] Oh, do let it be me! Let me do something for you! If you would only try me——
Carlyon.
What use can I possibly make of you?
Elizabeth.
[Continuing.] I have courage enough. When youwere vexed with me yesterday, I went and walked in the cage there, among the eagles!
Carlyon.
To punish yourself? [Grimly.] Well, I suppose they were asleep!
Elizabeth.
I woke them! Oh, you can't trust her like me; and I will do anything, anything!
Carlyon.
Come, come, Elizabeth! [Lifts her up.] That letter must come from Vera, and from no one else. [A ring is heard at the front door.] And I am not anxious. It would want a miracle to unseat me now; and I don't suppose my fortune intends to desert me all of a sudden.
EnterVerahurriedly.
Vera.
Did you hear that bell? I am sure it is Dr. Rheinhardt; I knew his step on the gravel walk.
Carlyon.
It can't be Rheinhardt! Why, he is in Zurich. What is the matter with you?
Vera.
No. He came to Carlisle to the Medical Congress, but——
Enter aServant.
Servant.
Dr. Rheinhardt wishes to see you, sir, for a few minutes.
Carlyon.
What can he be coming here for? Show him in.
EnterRheinhardt. Elizabethgoes to speak with theServant,and so exit with him.
Rheinhardt.
[AddressingCarlyonand ignoringVera,who looks anxiously at him and then turns away.] I have come——
Carlyon.
Well, this is a surprise, Doctor. Where have you come from?
Rheinhardt.
I have come merely for a few minutes, to ask if you know the address in India of Mr. Adene. I had ittill he left Rajpoor; but since then a telegram has been returned to me.
Carlyon.
Adene's address? No; let me think.
Vera.
Yes; we can easily find him.
Carlyon.
[Sharply turning.] You are wrong, Vera. You only know that old address. [ToRheinhardt.] I had one or two letters from him, but the people at Rajpoor whose address he used have lost sight of him.
Rheinhardt.
Is there no person he has written to here?
Vera.
[With an impulse.] Do you mean to go to him?[Rheinhardtstands stiffly, taking no notice.
Carlyon.
Nobody. I believe he has a sister or something at Clifton.
Rheinhardt.
Please give me her address and also the address of the people at Rajpoor.
Carlyon.
I do not know the address at Clifton. At Rajpoor it is Stephen Bonsor, Esq.——
Rheinhardt.
Bah! that is what I have. Have you a 'Bradshaw'? I will go to Clifton.
Carlyon.
But you can't mean to go to Clifton to-night?
Rheinhardt.
If I can get a train!
[Verameantime has fetched him a 'Bradshaw,' which he puts down on theBritish Medical Journal.
[Sarcastically.] I was not aware that Miss Carlyon any longer professed an interest in these studies!
[He examines 'Bradshaw';Veradoes not reply, but joinsCarlyondown centre.
Carlyon.
[Apart, toVera.] What made you think he was going himself? He may be only going to write.
Vera.
No, I am sure he is going!
Carlyon.
Why, the operation has never been attempted?
Vera.
Yes. That was what I wanted to show you just now. Steinmetz has done it four times, and killed the patient each time. TheJournalis indignant. He can hardly mean to try it! But he won't tell us; he wouldn't even speak to me!
Carlyon.
We'll soon see that! [ApproachingRheinhardt.] By the way, Doctor, I see that your old master, Steinmetz, has been very successful in performing that operation on the brain, that young Adene——
Rheinhardt.
Steinmetz my master? Steinmetz was never mymaster! You call it successful, you call it Steinmetz's section? Very well, I do not complain! It is Steinmetz's section because he has cut open five people and killed four—[Movement ofVeraand ofCarlyon]—and he is my master because I have only cut open two and killed none! He is your great man.
Vera.
[Excitedly.] You have done the operation yourself?
Rheinhardt.
I only followed him; he showed the way. When have I said anything else? And if I do not kill my people it is because I have no originality, I am a plodder, a second-rate man! Bah! he is a bungler!
Carlyon.
Then youaregoing to India to operate on Adene?
Rheinhardt.
What does it matter—I am nobody—what I do? Good-night.
Carlyon.
Stop a moment. Vera has just reminded me that we have got a later address. If you are going tooperate, or think it possible, we must telegraph to him to come back at once.
Rheinhardt.
I will not telegraph. What can I promise him? "Come back and let me see if it will kill you to cut out a big bit out of your head!" I will go and find him.
Vera.
[With a sheet of paper on which she has just been writing.] Look, Dr. Rheinhardt, this is the right address.
[Gives it him.Carlyonfrowns, with some surprise;Rheinhardthesitates, then takes it ungraciously.
Carlyon.
I advise you to telegraph all the same. The climate of India will be very unfavourable for his recovery.
Rheinhardt.
Climate? Bah! it has a hundred climates. I shall start to-morrow if there is a steamer. Good-night!
Carlyon.
But you will have to wait three hours for a train.
Rheinhardt.
Well, there is a waiting-room.
[ExitRheinhardt. Verais motionless for an instant, then starts after him.
Carlyon.
[Peremptorily.] Vera!
Vera.
[Impulsively.] Oh, father! could I go with him?
Carlyon.
With Rheinhardt to India? Good God, girl, it may come to that yet! [He paces the room disturbed and angry, then turns upon her.] Then it was all wrong, what you've been telling me about those operations? You said it was impossible.
Vera.
It was, a few months ago.
Carlyon.
Do you mean that you think that Rheinhardt can do it?
Vera.
He never operates unless he is almost certain of success. Oh, how wonderful it would be!
Carlyon.
[With fury.] Wonderful! Are you a perfect fool, Vera? [Pause. He continues coldly.] You heard me speak of a telegram to be sent to-night?
Vera.
Yes.
Carlyon.
[Watching her, taking from his pocket-book a sheet of notepaper.] It was this—to Adene; to return at once, as the operation can be performed.
Vera.
But you did not know then—you did not think it could be performed!
Carlyon.
[Deliberately.] I thought it was impossible.[Pause.
Vera.
I don't understand.—— Oh, Father, I can't believe it! I thought you had made up your mind to faceall that might come. What you did in Bhojâl was right; why are you afraid of his knowing it? Oh, you are not! You are not a man who can be afraid! You are not; or why did you never speak of him all this time? Why did you never try to stop him?
Carlyon.
I gave the Bhojâl Mountains the chance of stopping him first. And if they failed, then I had magic for him!
Vera.
Magic?
Carlyon.
The promise of a chance of life to a man slowly dying. [Tapping the telegram.] I had only to send this, and he was bound to come home.
Vera.
Have you been waiting for him like a beast of prey all this time?
Carlyon.
[With passion.] No, it is he who is waiting for me like a beast of prey. Do you think I have not felt him there all these months? Do you suppose I have not made ready to strike him as he springs?
Vera.
I would never have sent such a telegram. [Defiant, then instantaneously submissive.] It would be no good. He wouldn't come. He wouldn't even believe you—now!
Carlyon.
[Coldly.] This telegram is signed by you, not by me. [She comes up to him and looks at the telegram.] Are you calm enough to listen to reason?
Vera.
I can listen to anything you have got to say. But I would sooner murder him outright than this!
Carlyon.
It may very possibly come to that—especially after you have given Rheinhardt that address—against my wish!
Vera.
You spoke of giving him a later address——[Her manner is cowed.
Carlyon.
You knew I did not wish it.
Vera.
Yes, I am sorry.
Carlyon.
You preferred to disobey me; perhaps you mean to disobey me now? I make no appeal because of my danger; I can defend myself without you—or even against you.[Sits on settee.
Vera.
[Passionately, on her knees to him.] How could I ever be against you? If anything happens I will die with you!
Carlyon.
There is no question of dying. And if you are ready to judge me and desert me on your first impulse, without caring to understand, it is just as well for me that there is not.
Vera.
Oh! I ought not to judge you! Father, I don't judge you. But make me understand.
Carlyon.
Did you think me right about the poisoning of the well?
Vera.
No, not at first. But I began quickly to see——
Carlyon.
Will you take that as a lesson to show you how to trust me? Vera, I am a man greater than other men. I see my way clearly. I shrink from nothing, and I strike hard. Another man cannot keep pace with me: he cannot criticise me: he must either stand out of my path, or follow me with perfect devotion.
Vera.
Yes, yes; I know. I always feel it. Only that is why I cannot hear you to be plotting. I want always to say what the Bhojâlis said: "He has no fear, and his justice is the justice of a god."
Carlyon.
Do you know what they meant by the justice of a god? That is the very thing you dare not face. A god has his great ends which men know not of, and woe to the men or the nations that block those ends! And so it is with me. So it has been with all great rulers and conquerors of men. You cannotjudge them, you cannot judge me, step by step, detail by detail. You need only know that ultimately, taken all in all, what I will is good, and I have never yet failed.
Vera.
[Moved.] Oh, it is true; I always knew it.
Carlyon.
You want to think me purer and juster than other men? So I am. I have a high and clear standard, and never swerve from it without cause. I am merciful, because I have seldom needed to be cruel; I speak the truth, because I am seldom afraid. But, once or twice, here and there, when things were different, I have never been turned from my purpose by the mere nervous horror of a crime that most men feel; and where the first step led to a second and a third, I have gone on without flinching.
Vera.
I can understand you, father. You have broken ordinary laws, because you listened to higher laws. You have followed your own conscience.
Carlyon.
Conscience? I don't know what it means. I tellyou I have seldom, very seldom, broken through what people call justice. But when I did—where other men would flinch and prevaricate, I lied and swore false oaths. Where they would connive at wrong occurring, I did the wrong with my own hands, and cleared away the evidence of it. My own people in Bhojâl knew me; they told in their songs how I could give the tiger fresh hunger and the cobra poison; but they said too, "Best to be in the hand of God, next best in the hand of Kalŷona Sahib."
Vera.
Yes, yes. I am bewildered, but I can see some great right and truth coming out through it all. You saved your own people and all Rajpoor. One man had gone mad with fear——[She is going over it, to convince herself.
Carlyon.
[With swift contempt.] Do you think mere danger made me poison the Bhojâli waters?
Vera.
You told me how it was. Any one who knew all would forgive you!
Carlyon.
Forgive me! I want no forgiveness! I did what I did because it was the right thing to do; not because I was afraid. [She looks up bewildered.] I did it to make the Bhojâlis rebel, and then to crush them.
Vera.
[Aghast.] To make them rebel? You poisoned the water to make them——?
Carlyon.
Yes, and all fell out exactly as I meant. They were panicstricken, paralysed, stung to fury, all at one blow. And they struck when they were weak and I was strong!
Vera.
But you said—you said—— I can't believe it!
Carlyon.
Only one thing went wrong. I had too much power over Koreb. The man loved me like a dog, and somehow couldn't fight against me.
Vera.
I know. Oh, I know! Poor Koreb!
Carlyon.
[His hand on her shoulder.] He fled from his own people and came to me. He was half crazy by that time, and went babbling like a fool right and left. I thought of having him shot. I thought of one thing after another. Selim was with me; and that night Selim fell upon him in his sleep, and made sure of his silence!
Vera.
[Recoils in horror and puts her hand over her mouth.] You never——
Carlyon.
I never spoke a word, but my thought somehow drilled its way into his brain, and when I woke in the morning the thing was done.—Rouse yourself! You are the daughter of a man born for greatness, a man who does what others dream of! You love me, and you dare not disobey! [She raises her eyes to his in a fascinated, half-stupefied way.] Read that letter!
Vera.
[Utterly unnerved.] I can't read! What is it?
Carlyon.
Adene has come back from Bhojâl. He is almost dying, but—— Do you see that?
Vera.
What is it?
Carlyon.
[Taking the letter back and speaking in a tone of anger and fear.] Selim is with him!
Vera.
Then Selim can defend you, not I! [He stops her as he is trying to rise.] Oh, let me go!
Carlyon.
Selim won't defend me! After that morning he knew too much. It was two nights later, in the jungle.—Are you listening?
Vera.
Yes. You murdered him too! What is it you want of me?
Carlyon.
No! The wretch knew what was in my mind. He dodged my stroke, and I only cut through his arm, and he went over, wounded, to the enemy.
Vera.
And now he has come back?
Carlyon.
Now this Adene has hunted him out, and they are going to Travancore to Koreb's prison.
Vera.
And am I to murder some one? Who is it?
Carlyon.
Vera, you are sobbing like a hysterical girl. Look things in the face! There is no question of murder.
Vera.
Oh! it is all murder! [Gets up.] There is nothing but murder! You have done too much, and they are crowding from their graves against you. There is no escape—oh, thank God, there is no escape!Now I can forgive you everything; you have only to suffer and let them hunt you to death!
Carlyon.
[Rising.] No escape? Is it Adene and two half mad natives you are afraid of?
Vera.
Oh, make me see that what you did was right! I shall believe everything. Only I am weak, and I can't bear it if you leave me without help.
Carlyon.
Vera take my hands—[She does so.]—look me in the face. My cause was worth a war, and I made it. It claimed Koreb and Selim, and I sacrificed them. Am I now to prolong the life of one dying man that all the sacrifices of the past may be wasted? Do you see?
Vera.
Yes, I am stronger now. I don't care about the past. I will do what you bid me.
Carlyon.
Well, the first thing is to telegraph—[He makes a slight pause: then deliberately]—so that he shall come to England and miss Rheinhardt.
[Throughout this sceneCarlyonhas fixed his eyes onVera,controlling her with them, except for sudden outbreaks. Her manner gradually becomes submissive and dazed, as if she were answering each question in answer to the outside stimulus, without fully understanding what she said.
Vera.
Yes.
Carlyon.
Will that be enough?
Vera.
No! It is not safe. Other people here could operate.
Carlyon.
Then what do you advise?
Vera.
I must go with Dr. Rheinhardt to India.
Carlyon.
And then?
Vera.
[Sweeping her other hand across her brow.] I won't say it. I never thought of it myself; it is onlyyourthought drilling itself into my brain!
Carlyon.
You canhelpRheinhardt when he operates.
Vera.
They will never let me help.
Carlyon.
Don't you see, if you go to India to nurse him, Rheinhardt will think you are in love with the man?
Vera.
[Appealing for mercy.] I believe I was once—— Oh, Father! Father!
Carlyon.
[Lets her go; moving towards door.] Think of it by yourself. [Turning to her.] I leave you your full freedom! [To himself.] I wish Elizabeth were here.
Vera.
Oh, don't leave me alone!
Carlyon.
[Continuing, without regard to her appeal.] Think of it quietly![ExitCarlyon,r.
[VerafollowsCarlyontowards the door, then runs to the window and puts her head out.
EnterElizabeth.
Elizabeth.
Vera, my eagle is dead! [Verasilent.] I felt sure it was coming, he has been so changed these last days,—he has been afraid of things!
Vera.
[Looking round for a moment, startled, as if she did not understand.] Oh, the eagle![Leans out again.
Elizabeth.
Why, childie! Are you crying? What is the matter?
Vera.
Don't mind me, Elizabeth. I feel just like a child crying.
Elizabeth.
You have been studying too much. That is it!
Vera.
No, I am only left alone.
Elizabeth.
Why are you alone? You need not be, dear.[Goes up and offersVeraher hand.
Vera.
[Reaching her hand back toElizabeth,without looking in.] Thank you, Elizabeth. You are kind to me. But you cannot be any good to me now.
Elizabeth.
Very well, my dear. Only you will feel better if you trust somebody. It is always so.
Vera.
Who is there to trust? I mean to betray some one who trusts me.
Elizabeth.
My dear, I think you had better come in from that window. [Turns.] What can you see to keep you out there?
Vera.
Would you like to know? [Elizabethshows increasing emotion during this speech ofVera's.]I see a sort of wide bottomless sheet of water,—it is only the spread of moonlight, you know. A great wide sheet of water—down there—and there is some one drowning in it. I can see his two eyes looking up to me from the depths of it, and there are his hands somewhere reaching out to me for help; and, do you know what, Elizabeth? I shall reach down and down until I can grip them, and then I shall hold him under the water till he is cold and dead—— he is cold already. That is what I see. It isn't a cheerful thing, is it? And then,—I don't know what it will be then; but now I can only see the eyes: they are not really like a man's eyes, they are like a child's eyes full of pain, and—[turns and looks atElizabeth]—so trusting and innocent, like a little child being murdered!
Elizabeth.
[With a shriek.] No, no! God help me! Not a child's eyes! Not you too! Oh, say you don't see them!
Vera.
[Coming towards her.] Elizabeth! What is it? I have never seen you like this.
Elizabeth.
Oh, tell me that you don't see them! It is only to try me.Iknow they are there. I see them always. But not you. Not a child's eyes!
Vera.
It was only fancy. It was what I seemed to see in the moonlight on the mist. It meant nothing.
Elizabeth.
Has he told you? Why did he do it? Tell me, has he told you?[Turns and catches hold ofVera.
Vera.
Yes, he has—he has told me——
Elizabeth.
And you are angry! You can't forgive him! Oh, Vera, you are wrong. Blame me if you like. I did love the child, but it was I who wished it. Every woman living would have wished it![Sits on settee.
Vera.
I don't understand. Why are you like this?
Elizabeth.
I was stupid with weeping when he came that night, and he was so brave and strong. He never feared anything in his life. He called me "Poor child." "Poor child," he said, "do you know why you are unhappy? Because you dare not do the thing that your heart is praying for." . . . Then he took the child out with him and came back alone.
Vera.
What child? Was it his own child? [Fiercely, starting towards her.]—Tell me, or I will kill you!—and were you its mother?
Elizabeth.
I thought he had told you.
Vera.
When was it?
Elizabeth.
Thirty-four—thirty-five years ago; before he went to India. I loved him long before your mother did.
Vera.
You say you loved the child. Didn't you hate him for it?
Elizabeth.
Hate him? No. I was half mad, I think. I used to watch his face. If there had been a single shadow on it, I think I should have hated him. But he never changed. He was always untroubled, and his eyes were always true and fearless! Then I knew he could bear all my burdens, and I need fear nothing any more.
Vera.
Why did he not marry you?
Elizabeth.
He told me from the first he would not. I don't suppose he loved me much; how could he? He was so far above me, so much stronger and wiser. I got all I wanted afterwards, when he let me come here and look after you.
Vera.
I don't understand you, Elizabeth. [Vehemently.] Are you mad, and is it all untrue?
Elizabeth.
The baby's eyes haunt me; I dare not look into deep water. But it is just this that has given me peace.
Vera.
Peace!
Elizabeth.
It is the want of trust that makes life hard. You cannot be happy without perfect courage; and you cannot have courage without perfect strength. He has both; and they are yours if you trust him.
Vera.
Is it possible to trust any one? Suppose he did what you knew was wrong?
Elizabeth.
How should I know it was wrong? When I have found a man who stands out above other men, who shrinks from nothing, who is true to himself——
Vera.
[Shuddering.] But to murder a little thing like that!
Elizabeth.
It was just the helplessness of the little thing that would have frightened another man. It must be very hard to murder a child. But neither strength nor helplessness can frighten him!
Vera.
[After a pause.] And have you never doubted him?
Elizabeth.
Vera, how could I doubt? Why, if I had doubted him then I should have hated him; if I doubted him now I should die![Verashudders.
Vera.
Shut out that ghastly moonlight! [Elizabethrises and draws the curtain.Veragoes up to her, and they sit together.] Let me come closer to you. Tell me it all again.
Elizabeth.
Tell what again? Poor child, I have suffered all that you have, and more.
Vera.
Say again: "Your father betrayed me, murdered my child——"
Elizabeth.
[Interrupting.] No, he never betrayed me. He did an awful thing for my sake. He gave me peace.
Vera.
[Looking at her.] If only one could trust like that!
Elizabeth.
You can, childie. Think of him as always with you; try to feel him looking into your heart, commanding——
Vera.
[Half frightened.] Will that do it? But I am always doing that! I can't help it!
Elizabeth.
Then all this storm and suspicion will pass away, and you will be like me!
Vera.
[Starting away from her.] Like you! No, not like you! I can't be! [Elizabethrises and comes down to her.] Oh, how did you blind yourself? Has he sucked your heart's blood and left you dead, with no will, no conscience, no power to think? [With fury.] Oh, beat him back from you! Fight him! Fight him!
Elizabeth.
Child, child! how could one fight him? You don't know what you say!
Vera.
With his own weapons. By lies, pitiless treachery! I have seen him afraid, Elizabeth! I have seen him afraid! [Starting nervously.] Ah! there is his step. Don't let him come! Keep him from me, just for one moment, Elizabeth! If he speaks to me now I can't think. [Running to the window.] Oh! here I can breathe!
[She stays with her head out of the window as before.
EnterCarlyon.
Carlyon.
[ToElizabeth.] Why is she there? What have you said?
Elizabeth.
She is frightened! I thought you had told her.
Carlyon.
You told herthat! [Pause.] So much the better. If she understands one thing she will understand all. [Crossl.] Well, Vera——
Elizabeth.
[Reaching across after him.] She understands nothing! Don't trust her!
[Carlyonutterly disregardingElizabeth,and walking up toVera.
Carlyon.
You've had time to think. Is it to be the world or me?
Vera.
[Turning and coming down to meet him.] I see it all clearly now, father, and I won't be afraid any more.