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[_Slowly sinking to a seat and covering his face with his hands in a cry of despair._]
Oh,--my G.o.d----!
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 h.e.l.l 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 G.o.d!
[_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 _studies_ VAUGHAN _thoughtfully._]
LINCOLN
You doubtless said many bitter things in Was.h.i.+ngton?
VAUGHAN
Many of them----
LINCOLN
Then, you were approached by the leaders of a Copperhead Secret Order called The Knights of the Golden Circle--were you not?
VAUGHAN
Yes----!
LINCOLN
I thought so----
[_Cautiously._]
You--joined the Order----?
VAUGHAN
