I understand why you did it. It’s not that I’m crying for. It’s—it’s— O God! EVELYN [_Appealingly_] Carol— CAROL I’m crying because I’m so bitterly ashamed— EVELYN [_Gently_] Carol— CAROL I don’t want you to despise me utterly— EVELYN It’s all right. Don’t think any more about it. CAROL The things you’ve said to me are right—I have been shallow and cheap; but there’s a reason that you don’t know. EVELYN Reason? CAROL You’ve heard Edward’s side of the story and you’ve mixed yourself up in our lives—more than ever now. It’s only fair for you to hear my side, too— EVELYN Now look here, Carol. Don’t let’s say any more about it at all. CAROL Do you mean that? EVELYN Yes. CAROL [_Rising_] Very well—I suppose I deserve it. Good night. [_She walks sadly toward the door._] EVELYN Carol— CAROL [_Turning_] Yes? EVELYN I’ll hear your side if you want me to, but what’s the use of going on any further? CAROL Only that unless I explain now I can never look you in the face again. EVELYN Carol, don’t be so absurd. CAROL There are circumstances that justify me more than you realize. EVELYN Come back, then, and sit down. CAROL [_Wearily returning_] I feel so horribly tired. [_She comes back to the sofa and leans against it, looking at him. Her face is pale and she looks extremely sad and quite lovely._] EVELYN Do sit down. CAROL No, but I want you to. Sit here where you needn’t look at me. EVELYN Very well. [_He sits down on the sofa and stares into the fire. CAROL stands just behind him with her hands resting on his shoulders. Both their faces are half turned to the audience. She speaks very slowly._] CAROL You’ve been pretty brutal to me to-night and some of the hard things you said I deserve, but not all of them. I’m selfish and occasionally cheap and rather vain—and I have been unfaithful to my husband, but not before he had been unfaithful to me— EVELYN [_Starting_] What! CAROL [_Pressing him down_] Keep still, please. I’m telling you the truth— EVELYN You mean that Edward— CAROL I mean exactly what I say. I was completely faithful to Edward until eighteen months ago, when I discovered that he was having an affair with Zoe St. Merryn— EVELYN Good God! [_He moves again, but the holds him firmly._] CAROL That broke me up, rather. EVELYN I don’t believe it. CAROL I can’t help that; it’s true, all the same. EVELYN How did you discover it? What proof have you? CAROL I suspected for a little while and said nothing until I could bear it no longer; then I asked Edward and he admitted it— EVELYN [_Twisting round_] I _must_ look at you. CAROL [_Firmly, looking into his eyes_] He admitted it. EVELYN It’s incredible. CAROL