DR SIMON: I know nothing about that. All files about her and her group were stolen by Doctor Archer and destroyed in his house fire. Anyway, she’s not in a fit condition to be released.

FRANCIS takes a step towards BETSHEB, but DR SIMON speaks again.

It would have been better if you had never found them. They should have remained a lost tribe.

FRANCIS nods.

She was in a terrible state. Profound depressions and refusing to eat, so we had to give her electric shock treatment. Be patient with her.

DR SIMON exits. Silence. FRANCIS walks towards BETSHEB and stops behind her, smiling nervously.

FRANCIS: [quietly] Betsheb?

She doesn’t hear. He walks around to face her.

Betsheb?

She doesn’t seem to recognise him. He gives her the flowers: they drop from her lap onto the ground.

It’s me. Francis. Please. Look at me.

She looks at him without recognition.

What have we done to you?

Silence.

I couldn’t come back. I couldn’t write anymore. When the others died I didn’t know what to write. I thought they were better off dead than living here. [Pause.] You’re the last thing I ever wanted to hurt.

A long silence.

I didn’t know this was going to happen. Perhaps I did, that’s why I felt so guilty.

Silence.

Betsheb?

He kisses her. She doesn’t respond. As he kisses her again, he takes out his revolver and points it at the side of her head.

SCENE SEVENTEEN

Hobart, a summer’s night, 1945. The tiny Greek temple is the same as the opening scene. ELIZABETH stands before it in Greek costume. PETER, in dinner jacket, plays his father’s role as Orestes.

ELIZABETH: ‘You are now ready for death, yet you seem to be facing the prospect of such a hideous fate with true calm.’

PETER: ‘What else should I do? I have nothing to live for.’

ELIZABETH: ‘What of your family? You were once a child: who was your mother, then? Your father? Have you a sister?’

PETER: ‘My sister was sacrificed for my father.’

ELIZABETH: ‘I am lost too. My mother, Clytemnestra, said my brother—’

PETER: ‘My darling sister! I can scarcely believe what I hear!’

He moves towards her. She steps away.

ELIZABETH: ‘What are you doing? I am Head Priestess.’

PETER: ‘Clytemnestra was my mother too! My father is the grandson of Pelops. Was yours?’

ELIZABETH: ‘Yes.’

PETER: ‘Iphigenia! We thought you were dead and now I have found you!’

ELIZABETH: ‘I am happier than words can tell.’

They embrace.

‘Our strange story is beyond all dreams and thought. Instead of killing you I must save you and so save us all. How I longed for my country and you, long before your coming, Orestes. How my prayer joins with yours for the renewal of our breed. We must escape.’