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Act III]
137

Brigid

[Going.] Would you like the tea and the toast now, ma'am?

Bertha

Not now, Brigid. After perhaps. When Mr Hand comes show him in at once.

Brigid

Yes, ma'am.

[She goes out on the left.]

Beatrice

I will go now, Mrs Rowan, before he comes.

Bertha

[Somewhat timidly.] Then we are friends?

Beatrice

[In the same tone.] We will try to be. [Turning.] Do you allow me to go out through the garden? I don't want to meet my cousin now.

Bertha

Of course. [She takes her hand.] It is so strange that we spoke like this now. But I always wanted to. Did you?

Beatrice

I think I did, too.

Bertha

[Smiling.] Even in Rome. When I went out for a walk with Archie I used to think about you, what you were like, because I knew about you from Dick. I used to look at different persons, coming out of churches or going by in carriages, and think that perhaps they were like you. Because Dick told me you were dark.