MRS. H. At least, you'd like to be in a position to help him, if you thought it necessary?
HILLCRIST. Well—that perhaps.
MRS. H. Then you agree that Mr. Hornblower at least should be told. What he does with the knowledge is not our affair.
HILLCRIST. [Half to the STRANGER and half to DAWKER] Do you realise that an imputation of that kind may be ground for a criminal libel action?
STRANGER. Quite. But there's no shadow of doubt; not the faintest. You saw her just now?
HILLCRIST. I did. [Revolting again] No; I don't like it.
[DAWKER has drawn the STRANGER a step or two away, and they talk together.]
MRS. H. [In a low voice] And the ruin of our home? You're betraying your fathers, Jack.
HILLCRIST. I can't bear bringing a woman into it.
MRS. H. We don't. If anyone brings her in; it will be Hornblower himself.