LUCY.
I hated you then, and yet I couldn't crush the love that was in my heart. I used to try and drive you away from my thoughts, but every word you had ever said came back to me. Don't you remember? You told me that everything you did was for my sake. Those words hammered at my heart as though it were an anvil. I struggled not to believe them. I said to myself that you had sacrificed George coldly, callously, prudently, but in my heart I knew it wasn't true. [_He looks at her, hardly able to believe what she is going to say, but does not speak._] Your whole life stood on one side and only this hateful story on the other. You couldn't have grown into a different man in one single instant. I came here to-day to tell you that I don't understand the reason of what you did. I don't want to understand. I believe in you now with all my strength. I know that whatever you did was right and just--because you did it.
[_He gives a long, deep sigh._
ALEC.
Thank God! Oh, I'm so grateful to you for that.
LUCY.
Haven't you anything more to say to me than that?
ALEC.
You see, it comes too late. Nothing much matters now, for to-morrow I go away.
LUCY.
But you'll come back.
ALEC.
I'm going to a part of Africa from which Europeans seldom return.
LUCY.
[_With a sudden outburst of passion._] Oh, that's too horrible. Don't go, dearest! I can't bear it!
ALEC.
I must now. Everything is settled, and there can be no drawing back.
LUCY.
Don't you care for me any more?
ALEC.
Care for you? I love you with all my heart and soul.
LUCY.
[_Eagerly._] Then take me with you.
ALEC.
You!
LUCY.
You don't know what I can do. With you to help me I can be brave. Let me come, Alec?
ALEC.
No, it's impossible. You don't know what you ask.
LUCY.
Then let me wait for you? Let me wait till you come back?
ALEC.
And if I never come back?
LUCY.
I will wait for you still.
ALEC.
Then have no fear. I will come back. My journey was only dangerous because I wanted to die. I want to live now, and I shall live.
LUCY.
Oh, Alec, Alec, I'm so glad you love me.
THE END
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