edward. You want me to try to do this?
For answer, she dares only put out her hand, and he takes it.
alice. Oh, my dear . . cousin!
edward. [excitedly.] My people will have to hold their tongues. I needn't have told them all this to-day.
alice. Don't tell them the rest . . they won't understand. I shall be jealous if you tell them.
edward. [looking at her as she at him.] Well, you've the right to be. This deed . . it's not done yet . . is your property.
alice. Thank you. I've always wanted to have something useful to my credit . . and I'd almost given up hoping.
Then suddenly his face changes, his voice changes and he grips the hand he is holding so tightly as to hurt her.
edward. Alice, if my father's story were true . . he must have begun like this. Trying to do the right thing in the wrong way . . then doing the wrong thing . . then bringing himself to what he was . . and so me to this. [he flings away from her.] No, Alice, I won't do it. I daren't take that first step down. It's a worse risk than any failure. Think . . I might succeed.
alice stands very still, looking at him.