Rachel [beside herself]. Wait, wait! don't turn over! wait—stop—I want to tell you something—first—say you won't look—
Carteret [amazed]. Rachel! [Getting up]. What is it? You are not well! Is it hearing about this so suddenly? [He makes a movement. She thinks he is going to turn the page].
Rachel. Don't, don't! you promised, you promised you wouldn't. I want to tell you what is on the next page before you read it—I know how it goes on—'Mary Carteret his—child!'
Carteret [alarmed]. Rachel! what has happened to you?
Rachel [compelling herself to speak less wildly; with concentrated utterance]. Mary Carteret is his child—Jack Thornton's child. Yes! Mary—is—Jack Thornton's child.
[A silence—Carteret stands looking at her.
Carteret [seizing her wrists]. It isn't true! [She stands silent]. Is it true?—is it?
Rachel. Oh! you hurt me.
Carteret. Is it true?
Rachel [looking straight at him]. Yes. Read it. Turn over the page now.