Miss Vernon.
Grace, don’t forget that I’ve loved him, too, hopelessly, without any thought of a return. It gives me some claim, doesn’t it?
[Archibald looks at her quickly, with surprise, but does not speak.
Miss Vernon.
The only thing I care for is his happiness. And I beseech you to have mercy on him.
Grace.
What do you mean?
Miss Vernon.
If you destroy his belief in you he’ll have nothing left. He thinks he’s strong, but he isn’t. He depends on a few simple principles, and some of them are already giving way under his feet. He wants you now more than ever. You can give him back his self-reliance. And you’re going to humiliate him. Besides everything else, the misery and the grief, don’t you see what a blow it’ll be to his vanity? I beseech you to have mercy.
Grace.