BEATRICE. [_Hastily._] But that is not what alarmed me. But immediately after I heard a noise in my cousin’s room. BERTHA. [_Crumples together the paper in her hands, breathlessly._] My God! What is it? Tell me. BEATRICE. [_Observing her._] Why does that upset you so much? BERTHA. [_Sinking back, with a forced laugh._] Yes, of course, it is very foolish of me. My nerves are all upset. I slept very badly, too. That is why I got up so early. But tell me what was it then? BEATRICE. Only the noise of his valise being pulled along the floor. Then I heard him walking about his room, whistling softly. And then locking it and strapping it. BERTHA. He is going away! BEATRICE. That was what alarmed me. I feared he had had a quarrel with Mr Rowan and that his article was an attack. BERTHA. But why should they quarrel? Have you noticed anything between them? BEATRICE. I thought I did. A coldness. BERTHA. Lately? BEATRICE. For some time past. BERTHA. [_Smoothing the paper out._] Do you know the reason? BEATRICE. [_Hesitatingly._] No. BERTHA. [_After a pause._] Well, but if this article is for him, as you say, they have not quarrelled. [_She reflects a moment._] And written last night, too. BEATRICE. Yes. I bought the paper at once to see. But why, then, is he going away so suddenly? I feel that there is something wrong. I feel that something has happened between them. BERTHA. Would you be sorry? BEATRICE. I would be very sorry. You see, Mrs Rowan, Robert is my first cousin and it would grieve me very deeply if he were to treat Mr Rowan badly, now that he has come back, or if they had a serious quarrel especially because... BERTHA. [_Toying with the paper._] Because? BEATRICE. Because it was my cousin who urged Mr Rowan always to come back. I have that on my conscience. BERTHA. It should be on Mr Hand’s conscience, should it not? BEATRICE. [_Uncertainly._] On mine, too. Because—I spoke to my cousin about Mr Rowan when he was away and, to a certain extent, it was I... BERTHA. [_Nods slowly._] I see. And that is on your conscience. Only that? BEATRICE. I think so. BERTHA. [_Almost cheerfully._] It looks as if it was you, Miss Justice, who brought my husband back to Ireland. BEATRICE. I, Mrs Rowan? BERTHA. Yes, you. By your letters to him and then by speaking to your cousin as you said just now. Do you not think that you are the person who brought him back? BEATRICE. [_Blushing suddenly._] No. I could not think that. BERTHA. [_Watches her for a moment; then turning aside._] You know that my husband is writing very much since he came back. BEATRICE. Is he? BERTHA. Did you not know? [_She points towards the study._] He passes the greater part of the night in there writing. Night after night. BEATRICE. In his study? BERTHA. Study or bedroom. You may call it what you please. He sleeps there, too, on a sofa. He slept there last night. I can show you if you don’t believe me.