What child? Was it his own child? [_Fiercely, starting towards her._]--Tell me, or I will kill you!--and were you its mother? ELIZABETH. I thought he had told you. VERA. When was it? ELIZABETH. Thirty-four--thirty-five years ago; before he went to India. I loved him long before your mother did. VERA. You say you loved the child. Didn't you hate him for it? ELIZABETH. Hate him? No. I was half mad, I think. I used to watch his face. If there had been a single shadow on it, I think I should have hated him. But he never changed. He was always untroubled, and his eyes were always true and fearless! Then I knew he could bear all my burdens, and I need fear nothing any more. VERA. Why did he not marry you? ELIZABETH. He told me from the first he would not. I don't suppose he loved me much; how could he? He was so far above me, so much stronger and wiser. I got all I wanted afterwards, when he let me come here and look after you. VERA. I don't understand you, Elizabeth. [_Vehemently._] Are you mad, and is it all untrue? ELIZABETH. The baby's eyes haunt me; I dare not look into deep water. But it is just this that has given me peace. VERA. Peace! ELIZABETH. It is the want of trust that makes life hard. You cannot be happy without perfect courage; and you cannot have courage without perfect strength. He has both; and they are yours if you trust him. VERA. Is it possible to trust any one? Suppose he did what you knew was wrong? ELIZABETH. How should I know it was wrong? When I have found a man who stands out above other men, who shrinks from nothing, who is true to himself---- VERA. [_Shuddering._] But to murder a little thing like that! ELIZABETH. It was just the helplessness of the little thing that would have frightened another man. It must be very hard to murder a child. But neither strength nor helplessness can frighten him! VERA. [_After a pause._] And have you never doubted him? ELIZABETH. Vera, how could I doubt? Why, if I had doubted him then I should have hated him; if I doubted him now I should die! [VERA _shudders_. VERA. Shut out that ghastly moonlight! [ELIZABETH _rises and draws the curtain_. VERA _goes up to her, and they sit together_.] Let me come closer to you. Tell me it all again. ELIZABETH. Tell what again? Poor child, I have suffered all that you have, and more. VERA. Say again: "Your father betrayed me, murdered my child----" ELIZABETH. [_Interrupting._] No, he never betrayed me. He did an awful thing for my sake. He gave me peace. VERA. [_Looking at her._] If only one could trust like that! ELIZABETH. You can, childie. Think of him as always with you; try to feel him looking into your heart, commanding---- VERA. [_Half frightened._] Will that do it? But I am always doing that! I can't help it! ELIZABETH. Then all this storm and suspicion will pass away, and you will be like me! VERA.