STEVEN. [_Beside her._] No, let me read it.

GEORGIANA. [_She sinks down on the end of the sofa._] No, I will! [_She
reads on._] "News was brought by private--private--[_Her eyes hurrying
on._] the sole survivors. Privates--" [_Her eyes run along the printed
lines again._] Steve, I can't see his name. Isn't it there? Can't _you_
see it?

STEVEN. [_Looking._] No.

GEORGIANA. [_Almost whispers._] It means--?

STEVEN. [_Striving to hide his own emotion and to encourage her._] The
news is too meagre to be true.

MRS. CARLEY. [_In hall Left._] Georgiana! We must go.

GEORGIANA. [_Starts. To_ STEVEN.] _Don't_ let mother come in, please.

LOUISE. [_Just outside the door._] Georgiana, we must go.

GEORGIANA. [_To_ STEVEN.] Say I'm coming.

STEVEN. I can't leave you alone. [_Going to the door._] Georgy's coming.

LOUISE. [_Outside._] Good! Hurry!

STEVEN. [_Coming back to her._] But I can't leave you.