ROBERT. [_Nods._] And not my last. He spoke of you and himself. Of how your life would be together—free and all that. Free, yes! He would not even ask you to go with him. [_Bitterly._] He did not. And you went all the same. BERTHA. I wanted to be with him. You know... [_Raising her head and looking at him._] You know how we were then—Dick and I. ROBERT. [_Unheeding._] I advised him to go alone—not to take you with him—to live alone in order to see if what he felt for you was a passing thing which might ruin your happiness and his career. BERTHA. Well, Robert. It was unkind of you towards me. But I forgive you because you were thinking of his happiness and mine. ROBERT. [_Bending closer to her._] No, Bertha. I was not. And that was my treason. I was thinking of myself—that you might turn from him when he had gone and he from you. Then I would have offered you my gift. You know what it was now. The simple common gift that men offer to women. Not the best perhaps. Best or worst—it would have been yours. BERTHA. [_Turning away from him._] He did not take your advice. ROBERT. [_As before._] No. And the night you ran away together—O, how happy I was! BERTHA. [_Pressing his hands._] Keep calm, Robert. I know you liked me always. Why did you not forget me? ROBERT. [_Smiles bitterly._] How happy I felt as I came back along the quays and saw in the distance the boat lit up going down the black river, taking you away from me! [_In a calmer tone._] But why did you choose him? Did you not like me at all? BERTHA. Yes. I liked you because you were his friend. We often spoke about you. Often and often. Every time you wrote or sent papers or books to Dick. And I like you still, Robert. [_Looking into his eyes._] I never forgot you. ROBERT. Nor I you. I knew I would see you again. I knew it the night you went away—that you would come back. And that was why I wrote and worked to see you again—here. BERTHA. And here I am. You were right. ROBERT. [_Slowly._] Nine years. Nine times more beautiful! BERTHA. [_Smiling._] But am I? What do you see in me? ROBERT. [_Gazing at her._] A strange and beautiful lady. BERTHA. [_Almost disgusted._] O, please don’t call me such a thing! ROBERT. [_Earnestly._] You are more. A young and beautiful queen. BERTHA. [_With a sudden laugh._] O, Robert! ROBERT. [_Lowering his voice and bending nearer to her._] But do you not know that you are a beautiful human being? Do you not know that you have a beautiful body? Beautiful and young? BERTHA. [_Gravely._] Some day I will be old. 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.