Carlyon.
And you have been lying to me all this time!
Vera.
Were you to come at him with your poisoned daggers, and I not shield him with as much as a lie? [Checking herself.] Oh, Father, I did not mean to be like this to you! Father, he is not your enemy any more than I. He will spare you in every way——
Carlyon.
Do you mean he will not press to have me hanged? [She shakes her head.] You spare me that? [With fury.] I am not to be killed, after all your hunting? Only maimed and branded and left for stray dogs to tear? I am to "live it down," am I?—crawl on through a weary, interminable life——
Vera.
It can be as short as you will. I will wait and bear the shame for you.
Carlyon.