[_To_ LADY KELSEY.] Won't you lie down and try and sleep a little? You must be dreadfully exhausted. LADY KELSEY. Ah, don't think of me now, dear. Think of yourself. LUCY. [_Smiling._] It's purely selfish. It eases me a little to fuss about you. GEORGE. I'll wait in the smoking-room, Lucy. LUCY. Do! [GEORGE _and_ LADY KELSEY _go out._ ALEC. I think your self-command is wonderful. I've never admired you more than at this moment. LUCY. You make me feel such a prig. It's not really very strange if I keep my head, because I've had an immensely long training. Since I was fifteen I've been alone to care for George and my father.... Won't you sit down? ALEC. I can say what I want in a very few words. You know that in a week I start for Mombassa to take charge of the expedition in North-East Africa. I may be away for three or four years, and I shall be exposed to a certain amount of danger. When I left Africa last time to gather supplies, I determined I would crush those wretched slave-traders, and now I think I have the means to do it. LUCY. I think you are engaged on a very great work. ALEC. I don't know whether you ever noticed that--that I cared more for you than for any one in the world. But with the long journey in front of me I didn't think it was right to say anything to you. It wasn't fair to ask you to bind yourself during my long absence. And there was always the risk that a stray bullet might put an end to me. I made up my mind that I must wait till I returned. But things have changed now. Lucy, I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me before I go? LUCY. No, I can't do that. It's very generous of you, but I couldn't. ALEC. Why not? Don't you know that I love you? It would help me so much if I knew that you were waiting for me at home. LUCY. I must look after my father. I shall go and live near the--prison, so that I can see him whenever it's possible. ALEC. You can do that as well if you're my wife.... You have before you a very difficult and trying time. Won't you let me help you? LUCY. I couldn't. Heaven knows, I'm grateful to you for offering to marry me on this day of my bitter humiliation. I shall never forget your great kindness. But I must stand alone. I must devote myself to my father. When he's released I must have a home to bring him to, and I must tend him and care for him. Ah, now he wants me more than ever. ALEC. You're very proud. LUCY. [_Giving him her hand._] Dear friend, don't think hardly of me. I think I love you as much as it's possible for a woman to love a man. ALEC. Lucy! LUCY. [_With a smile._] Did you want me to tell you that in so many words? I admire you, and I trust you. I should be very happy if George could grow into so brave and honest a man as you. ALEC. They're very modest crumbs with which you want me to be satisfied. LUCY. I know in your heart you think I'm right. You would never seek to dissuade me from what I'm convinced is my duty. ALEC.