ALBERTO. Please, please, Lucrezia. You mustn't be cruel to me again. I can't bear it. LUCREZIA. Well, then.... Just for a moment, but for no more, (BERTINO _climbs from one balcony to the other. One is a little reminded of the trousered monkeys on the barrel organs. Arrived, he kneels down and kisses_ LUCREZIA'S _hand_.) ALBERTO. You've saved me. You've given given me a fresh desire to live and a fresh faith in life. How can I thank you enough, Lucrezia, darling? LUCREZIA (_patting his head_). There, there. _We_ are just two unhappy creatures. We must try and comfort one another. ALBERTO. What a brute I am! I never thought of your unhappiness. I am so selfish. What is it, Lucrezia? LUCREZIA. I can't tell you, Bertino; but it's very painful. ALBERTO. Poor child, poor child. (_His kisses, which started at the hand, have mounted, by this time, some way up the arm, changing perceptibly in character as they rise. At the shoulder they have a warmth which could not have been inferred from the respectful salutes which barely touched the fingers_.) Poor darling! You've given me consolation. Now you must let me comfort your unhappiness. LUCREZIA (_with an effort_). I think you ought to go back now, Bertino. ALBERTO. In a minute, my darling. There, there, poor Lucrezia. (_He puts an arm round her, kisses her hair and neck._ LUCREZIA _leans her bowed head against his chest. The sound of footsteps is heard. They both look up with scared, wide-open eyes_.) LUCREZIA. We mustn't be seen here, Bertino. What would people think? ALBERTO. I'll go back. LUCREZIA. There's no time. You must come into my room. Quickly.