[DICK _gives an audible chuckle, and_ CARBERY, _reddening, draws his hand away angrily. He goes to_ LUCY _and offers his arm._
BOULGER.
[_To_ MRS. CROWLEY.] Shall I take you back?
MRS. CROWLEY.
Do!
LADY KESLEY.
Won't you come, Mr. Mackenzie?
ALEC.
If you don't mind I'll stay and smoke just one cigarette with Dick Lomas. You know I'm not a dancing man.
LADY KELSEY.
Very well.
[_All go out except_ ALEC _and_ DICK.
DICK.
I suppose you know we were all beseeching Providence you'd have the grace to stay away to-night?
ALEC.
[_With a smile._] I suspected it, I confess. I shouldn't have come only I wanted to see Lucy. I've been in the country all day, and I knew nothing about Macinnery's letter till I saw the placards at the station.
DICK.
Macinnery proposes to make things rather uncomfortable, I imagine.
ALEC.
[_With a smile._] I made a mistake, didn't I? I ought to have dropped him in the river when I had no further use for him.
DICK.
What are you going to do?
ALEC.
It's not easy to clear myself at a dead man's expense. The earth covers his crime and his sins and his weakness.
DICK.
D'you mean to say that you are going to sit still and let them throw mud at you?
ALEC.
When George was dead I wrote to Lucy that he died like a brave man. I can't now publish to the whole world that he was a coward and a rogue. I can't rake up again the story of her father's crime.
DICK.
[_Impatiently._] Surely, that's absolutely quixotic.
ALEC.
No, it isn't. I tell you I can't do anything else. I'm bound hand and foot. Lucy has talked to me of George's death, and the only thing that has consoled her is the idea that in a manner he had redeemed his father's good name. How can I rob her of that? She placed all her hopes in George. How could she face the world with the knowledge that her brother was rotten to the core, as rotten as her father.
DICK.
It seems awfully hard.
ALEC.
Besides, when all is said and done, the boy did die game. Don't you think that should count for something? No, I tell you I can't give him away now. I should never cease to reproach myself. I love Lucy far too much to cause her such bitter pain.
DICK.
And if it loses you her love?
ALEC.
I think she can do without love better than without self-respect.
[LUCY _comes in with_ MRS. CROWLEY.
LUCY.
I've sent my partner away. I felt I must have a few words alone with you.
DICK.
Shall I take Mrs. Crowley into a retired corner?
LUCY.
No, we have nothing to say that you can't hear. You and Nellie know that we're engaged to be married. [_To_ ALEC.] I want you to dance with me.
ALEC.
It's very good of you.
MRS. CROWLEY.