RICHARD. And has he respect? BERTHA. He has. Of all the persons I met since I came back he is the only one who has. And he knows what they only suspect. And that is why I liked him from the first and like him still. Great respect for me she has! Why did you not ask her to come away with you nine years ago? RICHARD. You know why, Bertha. Ask yourself. BERTHA. Yes, I know why. You knew the answer you would get. That is why. RICHARD. That is not why. I did not even ask you. BERTHA. Yes. You knew I would go, asked or not. I do things. But if I do one thing I can do two things. As I have the name I can have the gains. RICHARD. [_With increasing excitement._] Bertha, I accept what is to be. I have trusted you. I will trust you still. BERTHA. To have that against me. To leave me then. [_Almost passionately._] Why do you not defend me then against him? Why do you go away from me now without a word? Dick, my God, tell me what you wish me to do? RICHARD. I cannot, dear. [_Struggling with himself._] Your own heart will tell you. [_He seizes both her hands._] I have a wild delight in my soul, Bertha, as I look at you. I see you as you are yourself. That I came first in your life or before him then—that may be nothing to you. You may be his more than mine. BERTHA. I am not. Only I feel for him, too. RICHARD. And I do too. You may be his and mine. I will trust you, Bertha, and him too. I must. I cannot hate him since his arms have been around you. You have drawn us near together. There is something wiser than wisdom in your heart. Who am I that I should call myself master of your heart or of any woman’s? Bertha, love him, be his, give yourself to him if you desire—or if you can. BERTHA. [_Dreamily._] I will remain. RICHARD. Goodbye. [_He lets her hand fall and goes out rapidly on the right. Bertha remains sitting. Then she rises and goes timidly towards the porch. She stops near it and, after a little hesitation, calls into the garden._] BERTHA. Is anyone out there? [_At the same time she retreats towards the middle of the room. Then she calls again in the same way._] BERTHA. Is anyone there? [_Robert appears in the open doorway that leads in from the garden. His coat is buttoned and the collar is turned up. He holds the doorposts with his hands lightly and waits for Bertha to see him._] BERTHA. [_Catching sight of him, starts back: then, quickly._] Robert! ROBERT. Are you alone? BERTHA. Yes. ROBERT. [_Looking towards the door on the right._] Where is he? BERTHA. Gone. [_Nervously._] You startled me. Where did you come from? ROBERT. [_With a movement of his head._] Out there. Did he not tell you I was out there—waiting? BERTHA. [_Quickly._] Yes, he told me. But I was afraid here alone. With the door open, waiting. [_She comes to the table and rests her hand on the corner._] Why do you stand like that in the doorway? ROBERT. Why? I am afraid too. BERTHA. Of what? ROBERT. Of you. BERTHA. [_Looks down._] Do you hate me now?