Richard
[Slowly.] And so you have followed me with pride and scorn also in your heart?
Beatrice
And loneliness.
[She leans her head on her hand, averting her face. Richard rises and walks slowly to the window on the left. He looks out for some moments and then returns towards her, crosses to the lounge and sits down near her.]
Richard
Do you love him still?
Beatrice
I do not even know.
Richard
It was that that made me so reserved with you—then—even though I felt your interest in me, even though I felt that I too was something in your life.
Beatrice
You were.
Richard
Yet that separated me from you. I was a third person, I felt. Your names were always spoken together, Robert and Beatrice, as long as I can remember. It seemed to me, to everyone . . .
Beatrice
We are first cousins. It is not strange that we were often together.
Richard
He told me of your secret engagement with him. He had no secrets from me; I suppose you know that.
