Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour

Name: Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)
Author: Сомерсет Моэм

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Сомерсет Моэм

Год написания книги

2017

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Alec

The brutes! Tell me what they did.

Lucy

Oh, they said horrible things about you.

Alec

No more than that?

Lucy

It's nothing to you. But to me… Oh, you don't know what agony I endure. I'm such a coward! I thought I was so much braver.

Alec

I don't understand you.

Lucy

I wanted to burn my ships behind me. I wanted to reassure myself. [Alec makes a slight movement away from her, but she holds him back anxiously.] Forgive me, dear. You don't know how terrible it is. I stand so dreadfully alone. Every one is convinced that you caused poor George's death – every one but me. [Alec looks at her gravely, without speaking.] I try to put the thoughts out of my head, but I can't – I can't. That letter in the Times looks so dreadfully true. Don't you see what I mean? The uncertainty is more than I can bear. At the first moment I felt so absolutely sure of you.

Alec

And now you don't?

Lucy

I trust you just as much as ever. I know it's impossible that you should have done a shameful thing. But there it stands in black and white, and you have nothing to say in answer.

Alec

I know it's very difficult. That is why I asked you to believe in me.

Lucy

I do, Alec – with all my soul. But have mercy on me. I'm not so strong as I thought. It's easy for you to stand alone. You're iron, but I'm a weak woman.

Alec

Oh, no, you're not like other women. I was proud of your unconquerable spirit.

Lucy

It was easy to be brave where my father was concerned, and George, but you're the man I love, and it's so different. I don't know any more how to stand alone.

[Alec looks at her, thinking, but does not reply for a moment.

Alec

Do you remember that only an hour ago I told you that I'd done nothing which I wouldn't do again? I gave you my word of honour that I could reproach myself for nothing.

Lucy

Oh, I know. I'm so utterly ashamed of myself. But I can't bear the doubt.

Alec

Doubt! You've said the word at last.

Lucy

I tell every one that I don't believe a word of these horrible charges, and I repeat to myself: I'm certain, I'm certain that he's innocent. And yet at the bottom of my heart there's a doubt, and I can't crush it.

Alec

Is that why you told them we were engaged to be married?

Lucy

I wanted to kill that gnawing pain of suspicion. I thought if I stood up before them and cried out that my trust in you was so great, I was willing to marry you notwithstanding everything, I should at least have peace in my own heart.

[Alec walks up and down. Then he stops in front of Lucy.

Alec

What is it precisely you want me to do?

Lucy

I want you to have mercy on me because I love you. Don't tell the world if you choose not to, but tell me the truth. I know you're incapable of lying. If I only have it from your own lips I shall believe, I want to be certain, certain!

Alec

Don't you realise that I would never have asked you to marry me if my conscience hadn't been quite clear? Don't you realise that the reasons I have for holding my tongue must be of overwhelming strength?

Lucy

But I am going to be your wife, and I love you, and you love me.

Alec

I implore you not to insist, Lucy. Let us remember only that the past is gone and we love one another. It's impossible for me to tell you anything.

Lucy

Oh, but you must now. If any part of the story is true, you must give me a chance of judging for myself.