[_She rises to go towards the study. Beatrice half rises quickly and makes a gesture of refusal._] BEATRICE. I believe you, of course, Mrs Rowan, when you tell me. BERTHA. [_Sitting down again._] Yes. He is writing. And it must be about something which has come into his life lately—since we came back to Ireland. Some change. Do you know that any change has come into his life? [_She looks searchingly at her._] Do you know it or feel it? BEATRICE. [_Answers her look steadily._] Mrs Rowan, that is not a question to ask me. If any change has come into his life since he came back you must know and feel it. BERTHA. You could know it just as well. You are very intimate in this house. BEATRICE. I am not the only person who is intimate here. [_They both look at each other coldly in silence for some moments. Bertha lays aside the paper and sits down on a chair nearer to Beatrice._] BERTHA. [_Placing her hand on Beatrice’s knee._] So you also hate me, Miss Justice? BEATRICE. [_With an effort._] Hate you? I? BERTHA. [_Insistently but softly._] Yes. You know what it means to hate a person? BEATRICE. Why should I hate you? I have never hated anyone. BERTHA. Have you ever loved anyone? [_She puts her hand on Beatrice’s wrist._] Tell me. You have? BEATRICE. [_Also softly._] Yes. In the past. BERTHA. Not now? BEATRICE. No. BERTHA. Can you say that to me—truly? Look at me. BEATRICE. [_Looks at her._] Yes, I can. [_A short pause. Bertha withdraws her hand, and turns away her head in some embarrassment._] BERTHA. You said just now that another person is intimate in this house. You meant your cousin... Was it he? BEATRICE. Yes. BERTHA. Have you not forgotten him? BEATRICE. [_Quietly._] I have tried to. BERTHA. [_Clasping her hands._] You hate me. You think I am happy. If you only knew how wrong you are! BEATRICE. [_Shakes her head._] I do not. BERTHA. Happy! When I do not understand anything that he writes, when I cannot help him in any way, when I don’t even understand half of what he says to me sometimes! You could and you can. [_Excitedly._] But I am afraid for him, afraid for both of them. [_She stands up suddenly and goes towards the davenport._] He must not go away like that. [_She takes a writing pad from the drawer and writes a few lines in great haste._] No, it is impossible! Is he mad to do such a thing? [_Turning to Beatrice._] Is he still at home? BEATRICE. [_Watching her in wonder._] Yes. Have you written to him to ask him to come here? BERTHA. [_Rises._] I have. I will send Brigid across with it. Brigid! [_She goes out by the door on the left rapidly._] BEATRICE. [_Gazing after her, instinctively:_] It is true, then!