As the storm rages outside, Barnabas and Vicki have a highly interesting conversation about Josette and her lover, the man who pursued her to death. Barnabas almost pleads, He never meant her to die! Vicki says that she doesn't understand the kind of love that leads to death and destruction. With even more feeling, though still keeping his face turned away from her, Barnabas says, Perhaps Josette never understood him or the extent of his love. If he loved her, then he wouldn’t have frightened her, Vicki insists. Barnabas answers, Perhaps not. But I can’t defend everything he did--nor could he. These sad recollections have reactivated Barnabas’s dormant conscience, and he suggests (guiltily), The storm may be letting up. I don’t think so, Vicki insists. I must stay. Shortly afterward, she excuses herself and goes upstairs. Barnabas wishes her a good night and adds, I hope you’ll find everything you need. After she goes, he looks a little worried now that he has what he wanted.
Willie comes downstairs from somewhere and shows Barnabas Sarah's ball, which he found near the coffin. He suggests it belongs to "that little girl," which Barnabas strenuously denies. Meanwhile, while lying in Josette's own bed, Vicki hears Sarah singing "London Bridge." The it's Willie's turn to be shocked when Vicki comes back downstairs. He offers to take her home, but she insists on staying. After she leaves, Barnabas makes snide remarks to the effect that Willie didn't use to be so thoughtful.
After Vicki goes back up again, Willie is terrified that Barnabas will punish him for his audacity. You can kill me if you want to, says Willie hoarsely, but I don’t want you to harm her. She never did anything to deserve it. Abruptly Barnabas changes his mind and asks Willie to stay and talk. But streetwise Willie guesses what's really going on. You like her, don’t you, Barnabas? he says. That’s why you don’t want to harm her, isn’t it? Barnabas turns and walks away from him. Willie presses his advantage, pleading, Don’t harm her, Barnabas! She never did anything to deserve it! Be quiet! Barnabas orders him, but Willie is persistent. You don’t want to do it, he insists. I can tell you don’t. But Barnabas orders him off to bed. Willie has to obey.
Barnabas enters Josette’s room. He looks longingly at Josette’s portrait, then approaches the bed. He gazes down at Vicki, deep in innocent slumber--and utterly vulnerable....
I think Barnabas is really in love with Vicki--at least as much as he can love anyone. This is not like Maggie, whom he didn't really see as a human being in herself, just as a replacement for Josette. He doesn't see Vicki that way at all.
