Carlyon Sahib Part 15

CARLYON.

I don't know about that. [_Grimly._] I think Selim understood his business.

VERA.

[_Shuddering again._] How horrible! But of course you were right. All the women and children, too?

CARLYON.

Naturally; I couldn't isolate the non-combatants. There weren't very many. I saved my own men. [_He pauses, takes a step or two_ L. _and breaks out_.] I deceived the Government, disobeyed the Government, and saved the whole of Rajpoor! I shut the war up in the Bhojali country, conquered Bhojal, annexed half of it, and drove the rebellious element beyond the frontier.

VERA.

[_Shuddering and cowed._] It was very horrible!

CARLYON.

Horrible! And what if Koreb had been let loose upon Rajpoor? If you had ever seen the sacked villages and the torture stakes----

VERA.

Oh I know, I know. I didn't mean anything _you_ did was horrible.

CARLYON.

[_With emotion._] If some chance, some supernatural stroke had done what I did, there would be no horror at the sacrifice, there would be nothing but hymns and thanksgivings. They all prayed to G.o.d that this might come to pa.s.s! Who dares to blame me because I did the thing they prayed for?

VERA.

[_Rising, after a moment's silence._] But how will _his_ going do any harm? Surely it is known already; the others knew it?

CARLYON.

No one but old Selim and I. [_With a curious smile._] And afterwards the chief--Koreb.

VERA.

Koreb? How did he know?

CARLYON.

There must have been a rumour among his people, but somehow he knew more.

VERA.

Didn't Koreb speak when he was taken prisoner?

CARLYON.

[_Looking at her._] Don't you remember what happened to him? He didn't know how to write.

VERA.

Oh, they cut his tongue out--his own people! I remember. [_She shudders._

CARLYON.

[_Pacing the room._] There are many nasty things to rake up in the past if we let Adene go. [VERA _silent_.] Can you stop him?

VERA.

I?

CARLYON.

You!

VERA.

I don't know. I don't see how I can. [_With horror._] Why, yes, I could!

But it would be--Oh, no, it would be too wicked!

CARLYON.

[_Coming to her._] What is it? Wouldn't he stay if you asked him?

VERA.

No, not unless----

CARLYON.

Unless you promised to marry him! If that too much?

VERA.

Oh, no, no, no! That never entered my head. I could do that. I could do anything myself, but----

CARLYON.

Am I not first, after all?

VERA.

[_Not noticing what he says._] I tell you _I_ can do anything; but I cannot sacrifice _him_!

CARLYON.

If you care for him so much----