I knew at the time that what I did might cost me your love, and though you won"t believe this, I did it for your sake.
[_At this moment_ MRS. CROWLEY _enters with_ SIR ROBERT BOULGER. _She has a cloak on._
MRS. CROWLEY.
I was just coming to say good-night. Bobby is going to drive me home.
[_She suddenly notices_ LUCY"S _agitation_.] What on earth"s the matter?
[LADY KELSEY _and_ d.i.c.k LOMAS _come in_. LADY KELSEY _looks at_ LUCY _and then goes up to her impulsively_.
LADY KELSEY.
Lucy, Lucy!
LUCY.
[_Brokenly._] I"m no longer engaged to Mr. Mackenzie. He can"t deny that what is said about him is true.
[_They look at him in astonishment, but he makes no movement._
MRS. CROWLEY.
[_To_ ALEC.] Haven"t you anything to say at all? You must have some explanation to offer?
ALEC.
No, I have none whatever.
d.i.c.k.
Alec, old man, have you realised all that this means?
ALEC.
Quite. I see now that it was inevitable.
LUCY.
[_With a sudden burst of furious anger._] You killed him! You killed him as surely as if you"d strangled him with your own hands.
[ROBERT BOULGER _goes to the door and flings it open_. ALEC _gives_ LUCY _a look, then slightly shrugs his shoulders. He walks out without a word. The moment he has gone_ LUCY _sinks down and bursts into pa.s.sionate tears_.
END OF THE THIRD ACT.
THE FOURTH ACT
SCENE.--_A library in the house of_ d.i.c.k LOMAS _in Portman Square_.
d.i.c.k _and his_ VALET. d.i.c.k _is putting flowers into a vase_.
d.i.c.k.
Has Mr. Mackenzie come in?
CHARLES.
Yes, sir. He"s gone to his room.
d.i.c.k.
I expect Mrs. Crowley and Miss Allerton to tea. If any one else comes I"m not at home.
CHARLES.
Very well, sir.
d.i.c.k.
And if a caller should ask at what time I"m expected back, you haven"t the least idea.
CHARLES.
Very well, sir.
d.i.c.k.
We shall want breakfast at eight to-morrow. I"m going down to Southampton to see Mr. Mackenzie off. But I shall be home to dinner. How about those cases in the hall?
CHARLES.
Mr. Mackenzie said they were to be sent for this afternoon. They"re only labelled Zanzibar. Is that sufficient, sir?
d.i.c.k.
Oh, I suppose so. Mr. Mackenzie will have given the shippers all directions. You"d better bring the tea at once. Mrs. Crowley is coming at four.
CHARLES.
Very well, sir.
[_He goes out._ d.i.c.k _continues to arrange the flowers, than goes to the window and looks out. He comes back. The door is opened by_ CHARLES, _who announces_ MRS. CROWLEY.
CHARLES.