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.]