[She goes out on to the balcony. She and Lady Francis are half hidden from view, so that it may be supposed the following scene between Catherine and Lord Francis is not heard by them.
Etchingham.
[In a low voice to Catherine.] Oh, my dear, will you ever forgive me?
Catherine.
Oh, father, don’t. It was very noble of you not to tell me anything before I decided. Now that I know the whole truth....
Etchingham.
The only hope we’ve got is to go on. If he gets in, if we can pull things together, we may get out of the muddle. He’s positive of it. The only thing that held me up was the thought of all of you. If I’d gone to the police there and then—or made away with myself, it would have meant the ruin of all of you.
Catherine.
And of all the unhappy people who’ve trusted everything they had to George.