Carter. I surrender, sir!

Hop. Hillary! (He turns to Winthrop). It is--

Winth. The worst!

[Charlotte comes slowly before Winthrop. She is very white.
She tries to speak, but her lips give no sound. She
comes nearer.

Char. My brother! In God's name what will you do? (Winthrop turns
away). Speak! What will it mean?

Winth. (slowly, with a tremendous effort). That we--

Char. The worst!

Winth. The best that I can do.

Char. (a wild gleam of hope in her face). You will save him. You
can do this for us; say he will live; we ask no more than that. His
life--you hear--his life; give that to me!

Carter (gently putting his arm around her). Hush, dearest. That
must be enough. I am his prisoner. You must not ask for that which in
honor he must refuse.

Char. (breaking wildly from him). You hear, mother; Fair, you
hear. Speak to him. Ah, he cannot refuse. Speak to him. Down on your