Carlyon Sahib Part 36

VERA.

[_Grave and calm._] This is like the madness that goes before a great fall!

CARLYON.

His fall and yours!--when you try to turn and rend me, and are crushed!

[_Looking at her._] Before Heaven, I pity you! [_Turning away._] Give me a fresh horse.

VERA.

What are you going to do?

CARLYON.

Do you expect another of my secrets?

VERA.

I will tell them to bring the horse. [_Exit_ VERA.

[CARLYON _crosses_ R., _throws himself down again in the chair, in an att.i.tude of utter weariness, his hands over his eyes_. SELIM _during the last words has stolen out from the trees and creeps towards_ CARLYON _with the knife_. CARLYON _moves his hands from his eyes, sees_ SELIM'S _shadow, and starts swiftly forward as_ SELIM _springs upon the chair from behind. A brief struggle follows_, SELIM _shouting_, CARLYON _silent_. CARLYON _gets the knife, flings_ SELIM _down off the stage_ L., _pursues him for one instant to stab him finally, and returns. There is a slight red scratch on_ CARLYON'S _forehead_.

_Re-enter_ VERA _hurriedly_.

VERA.

Father, Father! Are you hurt?

CARLYON.

[_Furious, with the knife uplifted._] Did you mean it? Did you know he was there?

VERA.

No, no! Oh, are you safe?

[_Pause. He is trembling with excitement._

CARLYON.

[_Exultantly._] Vera, Vera! Don't you see what has happened? Don't you see it? I am saved. Koreb is mad. Adene has nothing but hearsay----

VERA.

[_Shrinking back to coldness._] What do you mean?

CARLYON.

Don't you see that I've just killed Selim, and Selim was the one fatal witness? Adene cannot hurt me now. It is only you. It is all simple for you. You needn't kill him. You needn't say one word that is untrue. Only say nothing, and I am safe. [_With increasing confidence._] You don't answer! Think! You know in your heart you cannot conquer me. And if you could, who would be the better for it? I tell you I am a man who has never failed! [_He stops as if suddenly giddy; then continues in a weaker voice._] I give you now the power of standing beside me. Do not wait too long. Can any one else offer you half such a life?

[_He clings for a moment to the pillar of the veranda for support._

VERA.

[_Alarmed._] You are wounded!

CARLYON.

No, he never touched me. I tell you I killed him. Vera, Vera, why do you try to stand against me? You love me more than that cripple, and I hold the lives of both of you in my hand!

[_Half lifting the knife._

VERA.

Killing us will not help you! And I do not love you more than the truth.

CARLYON.

Truth! Barren truth about past facts that can do no jot or t.i.ttle of good to any one! Is it for that you would try to blast my life?

[_He puts his hand to his brow, drops the knife, and falls into the chair._

VERA.

[_Kneeling beside him, and calling._] Dr. Rheinhardt! Dr. Rheinhardt!

Quickly! [_To_ CARLYON.] No, stay where you are!

[CARLYON _waits motionless, recovering himself._

_Enter_ RHEINHARDT.

RHEINHARDT.

[_Off._] What is it? [_Entering._] Your father! Wounded!

VERA.

Selim attacked him, but I can't understand why he is like this.

RHEINHARDT.

[_Hurrying up to_ CARLYON.] Let me see.

CARLYON.

[_Pushing him aside and rising cautiously, he speaks wanderingly but without violence._] A little thing like that cannot hurt a man. My horse is tired, terribly tired; you said you would give me one of yours.

[_Reeling again; moaning to himself._] You pitiful civilised crowds, I want no more of you! You haven't beaten me, but you can't understand, you can't obey!

[_Moves unsteadily away towards the trees._