LORETTA. I . . . he . . . I didn't know. I was so young. I could not help it. Oh, I shall go mad, I shall go mad! [NED's encircling arm goes limp. He gently disengages her and deposits her in big chair.] [LORETTA buries her face and sobs afresh.] NED. [Twisting moustache fiercely, regarding her dubiously, hesitating a moment, then drawing up chair and sitting down.] I . . . I do not understand. LORETTA. [Wailing.] I am so unhappy! NED. [Inquisitorially.] Why unhappy? LORETTA. Because . . . he . . . he wants to marry me. NED. [His face brightening instantly, leaning forward and laying a hand soothingly on hers.] That should not make any girl unhappy. Because you don't love him is no reason--[Abruptly breaking off.] Of course you don't love him? [LORETTA shakes her head and shoulders vigorously.] What? LORETTA. [Explosively.] No, I don't love Billy! I don't want to love Billy! NED. [With confidence.] Because you don't love him is no reason that you should be unhappy just because he has proposed to you. LORETTA. [Sobbing.] That's the trouble. I wish I did love him. Oh, I wish I were dead. NED. [Growing complacent.] Now my dear child, you are worrying yourself over trifles. [His second hand joins the first in holding her hands.] Women do it every day. Because you have changed your mind, or did not know you mind, because you have--to use an unnecessarily harsh word--jilted a man-- LORETTA. [Interrupting, raising her head and looking at him.] Jilted? Oh Ned, if that were a all! NED. [Hollow voice.] All! [NED's hands slowly retreat from hers. He opens his mouth as though to speak further, then changes his mind and remains silent.] LORETTA. [Protestingly.] But I don't want to marry him! NED. Then I shouldn't. LORETTA. But I ought to marry him. NED. _Ought_ to marry him? [LORETTA nods.] That is a strong word. LORETTA. [Nodding.] I know it is. [Her lips are trembling, but she strives for control and manages to speak more calmly.] I am a wicked woman. A terrible wicked woman. No one knows how wicked I am . . . except Billy. NED. [Starting, looking at her queerly.] He . . . Billy knows? [LORETTA nods. He debates with himself a moment.] Tell me about it. You must tell me all of it. LORETTA. [Faintly, as though about to weep again.] All of it? NED. [Firmly.] Yes, all of it. LORETTA. [Haltingly.] And . . . will . . . you . . . ever . . . forgive . . . me? NED. [Drawing a long, breath, desperately.] Yes, I'll forgive you. Go ahead. LORETTA. There was no one to tell me. We were with each other so much. I did not know anything of the world . . . then. [Pauses.] NED. [Impatiently.] Go on. LORETTA. If I had only known. [Pauses.] NED. [Biting his lip and clenching his hands.] Yes, yes. Go on. LORETTA. We were together almost every evening. NED. [Savagely.] Billy?