[_He looks searchingly at Bertha, turns and walks into his study, closing the door behind him._] BERTHA. [_Speaking half to herself._] I gave up everything for him, religion, family, my own peace. [_She sits down heavily in an armchair. Beatrice comes towards her._] BEATRICE. [_Weakly._] But do you not feel also that Mr Rowan’s ideas... BERTHA. [_Bitterly._] Ideas and ideas! But the people in this world have other ideas or pretend to. They have to put up with him in spite of his ideas because he is able to do something. Me, no. I am nothing. BEATRICE. You stand by his side. BERTHA. [_With increasing bitterness._] Ah, nonsense, Miss Justice! I am only a thing he got entangled with and my son is—the nice name they give those children. Do you think I am a stone? Do you think I don’t see it in their eyes and in their manner when they have to meet me? BEATRICE. Do not let them humble you, Mrs Rowan. BERTHA. [_Haughtily._] Humble me! I am very proud of myself, if you want to know. What have they ever done for him? I made him a man. What are they all in his life? No more than the dirt under his boots! [_She stands up and walks excitedly to and fro._] He can despise me, too, like the rest of them—now. And you can despise me. But you will never humble me, any of you. BEATRICE. Why do you accuse me? BERTHA. [_Going to her impulsively._] I am in such suffering. Excuse me if I was rude. I want us to be friends. [_She holds out her hands._] Will you? BEATRICE. [_Taking her hands._] Gladly. BERTHA. [_Looking at her._] What lovely long eyelashes you have! And your eyes have such a sad expression! BEATRICE. [_Smiling._] I see very little with them. They are very weak. BERTHA. [_Warmly._] But beautiful. [_She embraces her quietly and kisses her. Then withdraws from her a little shyly. Brigid comes in from the left._] BRIGID. I gave it to himself, ma’am. BERTHA. Did he send a message? BRIGID. He was just going out, ma’am. He told me to say he’d be here after me. BERTHA. Thanks. BRIGID. [_Going._] Would you like the tea and the toast now, ma’am? BERTHA. Not now, Brigid. After perhaps. When Mr Hand comes show him in at once. BRIGID. Yes, ma’am. [_She goes out on the left._] BEATRICE. I will go now, Mrs Rowan, before he comes. BERTHA. [_Somewhat timidly._] Then we are friends? BEATRICE. [_In the same tone._] We will try to be. [_Turning._] Do you allow me to go out through the garden? I don’t want to meet my cousin now. BERTHA. Of course. [_She takes her hand._] It is so strange that we spoke like this now. But I always wanted to. Did you? BEATRICE. I think I did, too. BERTHA. [_Smiling._] Even in Rome. When I went out for a walk with Archie I used to think about you, what you were like, because I knew about you from Dick. I used to look at different persons, coming out of churches or going by in carriages, and think that perhaps they were like you. Because Dick told me you were dark. BEATRICE. [_Again nervously._] Really?