[_Pauses._]

Tyrant and usurper they call me! And I'm the humblest man who walks the
earth to-night!

VAUGHAN

[_Slowly sinking to a seat and covering his face with his hands in
a cry of despair._]

Oh,--my God----!

LINCOLN

[_Bending in sorrowful amazement and touching_ VAUGHAN'S _head._]

Why,--what's the matter, my boy----? I'm the only man to despair.
You're just a Captain in the army. You have only to obey your superior
officer. If to be the head of hell is as hard as what I've had to
undergo here, I could find it in my heart to pity Satan himself. And if
there's a man outside of perdition who suffers more than I do, I pity
him----!

VAUGHAN

[_Springing to his feet and throwing his hands up in anguish._]

You don't understand----! You don't understand----!

LINCOLN

Understand--what----?

VAUGHAN

[_Impetuously._]

When I lay in the hospital suffering from my wounds, I received the
letter telling me of my father's imprisonment. I must have gone
mad--for when you refused to-night to give him a trial--I started
to--kill--you---- Oh, my God!

[_Breaks down._]

LINCOLN

To kill me----! You are the second man to try it. He'll get me the next
time--I who envy the dead their rest!

[_Laughs._]

What a strange thing this life of ours!

[_Pauses._]

Why didn't you _do_ it----?

VAUGHAN

Because, for the first time you made me see things as they are, and I
got a glimpse of the inside----

LINCOLN

[_Eagerly._]

Then, I won--didn't I----?

VAUGHAN

Yes--and I can never forgive myself the thought of harming you----!

LINCOLN

[_Ignoring his grief._]

If I've won _you_, I can win others, if I only get their ear and make
them know as you know! All I need is a little time! And I'm going to
fight for it now----

[_With quick uplift of spirit._]

I've told you the truth and the truth has turned a murderer into my
friend! If only the people can know--can have time to think, I'll
win--I'll win--! Look here--I've _won_ you now----?

VAUGHAN

[_Eagerly._]

Just give me a chance to prove it----!

[LINCOLN _stud