[_Springing up._] Go away. Don't look at me. How can you stand there and watch my weakness? Oh God, give me strength.... My love was the last human weakness I had. It was right that I should drink that bitter cup. And I've drunk its very dregs. I should have known that I wasn't meant for happiness and a life of ease. I have other work to do in the world. And now that I have overcome this last temptation, I am ready to do it. MRS. CROWLEY. But haven't you any pity for yourself, haven't you any thought for Lucy? ALEC. Must I tell you, too, that everything I did was for Lucy's sake? And still I love her with all my heart and soul.... DICK _comes in_. DICK. Here is Lucy! [CHARLES _comes in and announces_ LUCY. CHARLES. Miss Allerton! [_She enters, and_ DICK, _anxious that the meeting shall not be more awkward than need be, goes up to her very cordially_. DICK. Ah, my dear Lucy. So glad you were able to come. LUCY. [_Giving her hand to_ DICK, _but looking at_ ALEC.] How d'you do? ALEC. How d'you do? [_He forces himself to talk._] How is Lady Kelsey? LUCY. She's much better, thanks. We've been to Spa, you know, for her health. ALEC. Somebody told me you'd gone abroad. Was it you, Dick? Dick is an admirable person, a sort of gazetteer for polite society. DICK. Won't you have some tea, Lucy? LUCY. No, thanks! MRS. CROWLEY. [_Trying on her side also to make conversation._] We shall miss you dreadfully when you're gone, Mr. Mackenzie. DICK. [_Cheerfully._] Not a bit of it. ALEC. [_Smiling._] London is an excellent place for showing one of how little importance one is in the world. One makes a certain figure, and perhaps is tempted to think oneself of some consequence. Then one goes away, and on returning is surprised to discover that nobody has even noticed one's absence. DICK. You're over-modest, Alec. If you weren't, you might be a great man. Now, I make a point of telling my friends that I'm indispensable, and they take me at my word. ALEC. You are a leaven of flippancy in the heavy dough of British righteousness. DICK. The wise man only takes the unimportant quite seriously. ALEC. [_With a smile._] For it is obvious that it needs more brains to do nothing than to be a cabinet minister. DICK. You pay me a great compliment, Alec. You repeat to my very face one of my favourite observations. LUCY. [_Almost in a whisper._] Haven't I heard you say that only the impossible is worth doing? ALEC. Good heavens, I must have been reading the headings of a copy-book. MRS. CROWLEY. [_To_ DICK.] Are you going to Southampton to see Mr. Mackenzie off? DICK. I shall hide my face on his shoulder and weep salt tears. It'll be most affecting, because in moments of emotion I always burst into epigram. ALEC. I loathe all solemn leave-takings. I prefer to part from people with a nod and a smile, whether I'm going for ever or for a day to Brighton. MRS. CROWLEY.