Why, you said
I'd worn myself to a shadow! You kissed me, and told me I'd saved your
life! And when I was ill myself, and you thought I was dying . . .
didn't you realize that you loved me? And the children? Have you never
given a thought to them? Are they nothing to you? And you to them? You
know that you love them, Henry . . . you dare not deny it. Are they to
be without a father all their lives? [Falls into his arms.] My
husband!
HENRY. [Catches her, deeply moved.] Letitia!
OCEANA. [Has been watching them intently; now, startled and pained.]
Ah I thought so! [She turns away; supports herself by the table;
whispers.] That settles it!
LETITIA. Henry, if I have been selfish, I am sorry! I humble myself
before you . . . I beg you for forgiveness! Henry, I do love you!
Don't you believe me?
HENRY. [Faintly.] I believe you.
OCEANA. [Clenches her hands and turns resolutely.] You see, Hal, I
knew it! [He bows his head.] You can't get away from her. [She
pauses.] You understand it all now . . . what my instinct told me. You
still love her, you still belong to her. You would have gone away with
me, and you would still have been thinking about her--worrying about
her. It would have been tearing your soul in half. [She waits; he does
not look at her; she goes on, half to convince herself.] She is not
big enough to give you up. She could not say, "Oceana is young and
needs you; you love Oceana, and she will make you happy.
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