LUCY.
Oh, they said horrible things about you.
ALEC.
No more than that?
LUCY.
It's nothing to you. But to me.... Oh, you don't know what agony I endure. I'm such a coward! I thought I was so much braver.
ALEC.
I don't understand you.
LUCY.
I wanted to burn my ships behind me. I wanted to reassure myself. [ALEC _makes a slight movement away from her, but she holds him back anxiously_.] Forgive me, dear. You don't know how terrible it is. I stand so dreadfully alone. Every one is convinced that you caused poor George's death--every one but me. [ALEC _looks at her gravely, without speaking_.] I try to put the thoughts out of my head, but I can't--I can't. That letter in the _Times_ looks so dreadfully true. Don't you see what I mean? The uncertainty is more than I can bear. At the first moment I felt so absolutely sure of you.
ALEC.
And now you don't?
LUCY.
I trust you just as much as ever. I know it's impossible that you should have done a shameful thing. But there it stands in black and white, and you have nothing to say in answer.
ALEC.
I know it's very difficult. That is why I asked you to believe in me.
LUCY.
I do, Alec--with all my soul. But have mercy on me. I'm not so strong as I thought. It's easy for you to stand alone. You're iron, but I'm a weak woman.
ALEC.
Oh, no, you're not like other women. I was proud of your unconquerable spirit.
LUCY.
It was easy to be brave where my father was concerned, and George, but you're the man I love, and it's so different. I don't know any more how to stand alone.
[ALEC _looks at her, thinking, but does not reply for a moment_.
ALEC.
Do you remember that only an hour ago I told you that I'd done nothing which I wouldn't do again? I gave you my word of honour that I could reproach myself for nothing.
LUCY.
Oh, I know. I'm so utterly ashamed of myself. But I can't bear the doubt.
ALEC.
Doubt! You've said the word at last.
LUCY.
I tell every one that I don't believe a word of these horrible charges, and I repeat to myself: I'm certain, I'm certain that he's innocent. And yet at the bottom of my heart there's a doubt, and I can't crush it.
ALEC.
Is that why you told them we were engaged to be married?
LUCY.
I wanted to kill that gnawing pain of suspicion. I thought if I stood up before them and cried out that my trust in you was so great, I was willing to marry you notwithstanding everything, I should at least have peace in my own heart.
[ALEC _walks up and down. Then he stops in front of_ LUCY.
ALEC.
What is it precisely you want me to do?
LUCY.
I want you to have mercy on me because I love you. Don't tell the world if you choose not to, but tell me the truth. I know you're incapable of lying. If I only have it from your own lips I shall believe, I want to be certain, certain!
ALEC.
Don't you realise that I would never have asked you to marry me if my conscience hadn't been quite clear? Don't you realise that the reasons I have for holding my tongue must be of overwhelming strength?
LUCY.
But I am going to be your wife, and I love you, and you love me.
ALEC.
I implore you not to insist, Lucy. Let us remember only that the past is gone and we love one another. It's impossible for me to tell you anything.
LUCY.
Oh, but you must now. If any part of the story is true, you must give me a chance of judging for myself.
ALEC.
I'm very sorry, I can't.