Hop. (coming forward quickly). What is it?
[Carter rises from the chair, despairing, yet with simple dignity.
Carter. I surrender, sir!
Hop. Hillary! (He turns to Winthrop). It is—
Winth. The worst!
[Charlotte comes slowly before Winthrop. She is very white. She tries to speak, but her lips give no sound. She comes nearer.
Char. My brother! In God's name what will you do? (Winthrop turns away). Speak! What will it mean?
Winth. (slowly, with a tremendous effort). That we—
Char. The worst!
Winth. The best that I can do.