Forgive me! I want no forgiveness! I did what I did because it was the right thing to do; not because I was afraid. [She looks up bewildered.] I did it to make the Bhojâlis rebel, and then to crush them.
Vera.
[Aghast.] To make them rebel? You poisoned the water to make them——?
Carlyon.
Yes, and all fell out exactly as I meant. They were panicstricken, paralysed, stung to fury, all at one blow. And they struck when they were weak and I was strong!
Vera.
But you said—you said—— I can't believe it!
Carlyon.
Only one thing went wrong. I had too much power over Koreb. The man loved me like a dog, and somehow couldn't fight against me.