Vera.

I know. Oh, I know! Poor Koreb!

Carlyon.

[His hand on her shoulder.] He fled from his own people and came to me. He was half crazy by that time, and went babbling like a fool right and left. I thought of having him shot. I thought of one thing after another. Selim was with me; and that night Selim fell upon him in his sleep, and made sure of his silence!

Vera.

[Recoils in horror and puts her hand over her mouth.] You never——

Carlyon.

I never spoke a word, but my thought somehow drilled its way into his brain, and when I woke in the morning the thing was done.—Rouse yourself! You are the daughter of a man born for greatness, a man who does what others dream of! You love me, and you dare not disobey! [She raises her eyes to his in a fascinated, half-stupefied way.] Read that letter!

Vera.