Carlyon Sahib Part 30

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! [VERA _shudders_.

VERA.

Shut out that ghastly moonlight! [ELIZABETH _rises and draws the curtain_. VERA _goes 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 pa.s.s away, and you will be like me!

VERA.

[_Starting away from her._] Like you! No, not like you! I can't be!

[ELIZABETH _rises 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._

_Enter_ CARLYON.

CARLYON.

[_To_ ELIZABETH.] Why is she there? What have you said?

ELIZABETH.

She is frightened! I thought you had told her.

CARLYON.

You told her _that_! [_Pause._] So much the better. If she understands one thing she will understand all. [_Cross_ L.] Well, Vera----

ELIZABETH.

[_Reaching across after him._] She understands nothing! Don't trust her!

[CARLYON _utterly disregarding_ ELIZABETH, _and walking up to_ VERA.

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.

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

THE FOURTH ACT

_In front of a Bungalow in the Ghautgherry Hills; the Bungalow with its veranda occupies the left half of the stage; the rest is Compound, with thick trees at the right. A door in the centre of the veranda leads into the house; another, at the left, leads to_ ADENE'S _sick-room. In front, to the right_, ADENE _is reclining in a long Singapore chair with cus.h.i.+ons. Just above him a table, covered with Bhojalee curiosities which have just been taken from a box. At the table is_ RHEINHARDT _seated, looking at the objects. Behind is_ SELIM, _an old native with one arm, dusting the veranda with a feather mop_.

ADENE _has a Bhojalee belt in his hands, with empty sheath_; RHEINHARDT _has the knife, and is examining it closely_.

ADENE.

The belt is said to have been Koreb's own. There is nothing particular about the knife--an ordinary Bhojal kukri.

RHEINHARDT.

[_Holding the knife up for the light to strike its edge._] Do they use poisoned knives in Bhojal?

ADENE.