You knew how much I loved my brother. You knew how much it meant to me that he should live to wipe out my father's dishonour. All the future was centred on him, and you sacrificed him.
Alec.
[Hesitatingly.] I think I might tell you this. He had committed a grave error of judgment. We were entrapped by the Arabs, and our only chance of escape entailed the almost certain death of one of us.
[An inkling of the truth seizes Lucy, and her
face is suddenly distorted with horror. She
goes up to him impulsively. Her voice
trembles with emotion.
Lucy.
Alec, Alec, he didn't do something—unworthy? You're not trying to shield him?
Alec.
[Hoarsely.] No, no, no!
Lucy.
[With a gasp of relief, almost to herself.] Thank God! I couldn't have borne that. [To Alec, hopelessly.] Then I don't understand.