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Act II]
115

Robert

[Shakes his head.] I cannot imagine it. Tonight you are young and beautiful. Tonight you have come back to me. [With passion.] Who knows what will be tomorrow? I may never see you again or never see you as I do now.

Bertha

Would you suffer?

Robert

[Looks round the room, without answering.] This room and this hour were made for your coming. When you have gone—all is gone.

Bertha

[Anxiously.] But you will see me again, Robert . . . as before.

Robert

[Looks full at her.] To make him—Richard—suffer.

Bertha

He does not suffer.

Robert

[Bowing his head.] Yes, yes. He does.

Bertha

He knows we like each other. Is there any harm, then?

Robert

[Raising his head.] No, there is no harm. Why should we not? He does not know yet what I feel. He has left us alone here at night, at this hour, because he longs to know it—he longs to be delivered.

Bertha

From what?

Robert

[Moves closer to her and presses her arm as he speaks.]