I think it's very unreasonable, Lucy. He knows we're his friends. He can count on our discretion. LUCY. I believe in him implicitly. I believe in him with all the strength I've got. BOULGER. Then, surely it can make no difference if you ask him. There can be no reason for him not to trust you. LUCY. Oh, why don't you leave me alone? BOULGER. Ask him point blank. If he refuses to answer you ... LUCY. [_Hastily._] It would mean nothing. Why should he answer? I believe in him absolutely. I think he's the greatest and most honourable man I've ever known. I care more for his little finger than for the whole world. I love him with all my heart. And that's why he can't be guilty of this horrible crime. Because I've loved him for years, and he's known it. And he loves me. And he's loved me always. [ALEC _and_ DICK _stroll in from the garden_. LUCY. Alec, Alec, I want you! Thank God, you've come! ALEC. [_Going to her quickly._] What is it? LUCY. Alec, you must tell them now about you and me. [ALEC _looks at_ LUCY _for a moment_, _and then turns to_ LADY KELSEY. ALEC. I think perhaps we ought to have told you before, Lady Kelsey. But we wanted to enjoy our little secret by ourselves. LADY KELSEY. I'm afraid to understand. ALEC. I have asked Lucy to be my wife, and she.... LUCY. [_Interrupting him._] She said she would be honoured and deeply grateful. LADY KELSEY. [_Greatly embarrassed._] I hardly know what to say.... How long have you been engaged? LUCY. Won't you tell me you're pleased, my aunt? I know you want me to be happy. LADY KELSEY. Of course, I want you to be happy. But I--I.... [BOULGER _turns on his heel and walks out_. DICK. [_Offering his arm to_ LADY KELSEY.] Wouldn't you like to go back to the drawing-room? [_She allows herself to be led away, helplessly._ ALEC _and_ LUCY _are left alone_. ALEC. [_With a smile._] I don't think our announcement has been received with enthusiasm. LUCY. You're not angry with me, ALEC? ALEC. Of course not. Everything you do is right and charming. LUCY. I shall really think I'm a wonderful person if I've taught you to pay compliments. ALEC. I'm so glad to be alone with you. Now, at all events, people will have the sense to leave us by ourselves. LUCY. [_Passionately._] I want your love. I want your love so badly. ALEC. [_Taking her in his arms._] My darling! LUCY. [_Clinging to him._] The moment I'm with you I feel so confident and happy. ALEC. Only when you're with me? [LUCY _looks at him for an instant. He repeats the question in a caressing voice._] Only when you're with me, darling? LUCY. Why d'you think I made you tell them we were engaged? ALEC. You took me by surprise. LUCY. I had to tell them. I couldn't keep it back. They made me suffer so dreadfully. ALEC. The brutes! Tell me what they did. LUCY. Oh, they said horrible things about you. ALEC. No more than that? LUCY.