Don't cry, Hilda. I can't bear it. HILDA. [_In broken tones._] Don't you understand that we could never respect ourselves again if we did that poor creature such a fearful wrong? She would be always between us with her tears and her sorrows. I tell you I couldn't bear it. Have mercy on me--if you love me at all. BASIL. [_Wavering._] Hilda, it's too hard. I can't leave you. HILDA. You must. I _know_ it's better to do our duty. For my sake, dearest, go back to your wife, and don't let her ever know that you love me. It's because we're stronger than she that we must sacrifice ourselves. [_He leans his head on his hands, and sighs deeply. For a while they remain in silence. At last, with another sigh, he gets up._ BASIL. I don't know any longer what's right and what's wrong. It all seems confused. It's very hard. HILDA. [_Hoarsely._] It's just as hard for me, Basil. BASIL. [_Broken-hearted._] Good-bye, then. I dare say you're right. And perhaps I should only make you very unhappy. HILDA. Good-bye, my dearest. [_He bends down and kisses her hands. She stifles a sob. He goes slowly to the door, with his back turned to her; and then_ HILDA, _unable to endure it, gives a groan_. HILDA. Basil. Don't go. BASIL. [_With a cry of joy._] Ah! Hilda. [_He clasps her passionately in his arms._ HILDA. Oh, I can't bear it. I won't lose you. Basil, say you love me. BASIL. [_In a madness of joy._] Yes. I love you with all my heart. HILDA. I could have borne it if you'd been happy. BASIL. Now _nothing_ can separate us, Hilda. You belong to me for ever. HILDA. God help me! What have I done? BASIL. If we lose our souls, what does it matter? We gain the whole world. HILDA. Oh, Basil, I want your love. I want your love so badly. BASIL. Will you come with me, Hilda? I can take you to a land where the whole earth speaks only of love--and where only love and youth and beauty matter. HILDA. Let us go where we can be together always. We have so short a time; let us snatch all the happiness we can. BASIL. [_Kissing her again._] My darling. HILDA. Oh, Basil, Basil.... [_She starts away._] Take care! [_The_ BUTLER _comes in_.] BUTLER. Mrs. Kent. [JENNY _enters hurriedly, as he gives her name. The_ BUTLER _at once goes out_. BASIL. Jenny! JENNY. I've caught you. BASIL. [_Trying to be urbane_--_to_ HILDA] I think you know my wife. JENNY. [_In a loud angry voice._] Oh, yes, I know her. You needn't introduce me. I've come for my husband. BASIL. Jenny, what are you saying? JENNY. Oh, I don't want any of your Society shams. I've come here to speak out. BASIL. [_To_ HILDA.] Would you mind leaving us alone? JENNY. [_Also to_ HILDA, _passionately_.] No, I want to speak to you. You're trying to get my husband from me. He's _my_ husband. BASIL.