MARGARET. Yes, as long as you're here. If I come out honestly and confess everything, he may forgive me. GILBERT. And what about me? I have better things to do in the world than to allow myself to be shot down like a mad dog by a jealous baron! (Bell rings.) MARGARET. There he is--there he is! GILBERT. You won't say anything! MARGARET. Yes, I mean to speak out. GILBERT. Oh, you will, will you? Have a care, then! I'll sell my skin dearly. MARGARET. What will you do? GILBERT. I'll hurl such truths into his very face as no baron ever heard before. (Enter CLEMENT; rather surprised at finding him, very cool and polite.) CLEMENT. Oh ... Herr Gilbert, if I'm not mistaken? GILBERT. Yes, Baron. Happening to pass this way on a journey to the south, I could not refrain from coming to pay my respects ... CLEMENT. Ah, I see ... (Pause.) I'm afraid I have interrupted a conversation--I should be sorry to do that. Please don't let me be in the way. GILBERT (to MARGARET). Ah ... what _were_ we talking about? CLEMENT. Perhaps I may be able to assist your memory. In Munich you always used to be talking about your books ... GILBERT. Ah ... precisely. As a matter of fact, I _was_ speaking of my new novel ... CLEMENT. Oh ... then please go on. It's quite possible to discuss literature with me--isn't it, Margaret? What is your novel? Naturalist! Symbolist? A chapter of experience? GILBERT. Oh, in a certain sense we all write but of things we have lived. CLEMENT. That's very interesting. GILBERT. Even when one writes a Nero, it's absolutely indispensable that at least in his heart he shall have set fire to Rome ... CLEMENT. Of course. GILBERT. Where else is one to get inspiration except from oneself? Where is one to find models except in the life around one? (MARGARET is growing more and more uneasy.) CLEMENT. The trouble is that the model's consent is so seldom asked. I'm bound to say, if I were a woman, I shouldn't thank a man for telling the world ... (Sharply.) In decent society we call that ... compromising a woman. GILBERT. I don't know whether I may include myself in "decent society"--but I call that doing honor to a woman. CLEMENT. Oh! GILBERT. The essential thing is to hit the mark. What, in the higher sense, does it matter whether a woman has been happy in one man's arms or another's? CLEMENT. Herr Gilbert, I will call your attention to the fact that you are speaking in the presence of a lady! GILBERT. I am speaking in the presence of an old comrade who may be supposed to share my views on these matters. CLEMENT. Oh ...! MARGARET (suddenly). Clement ...! (Throws herself at his feet.) Clement ...! Clement (taken aback). Really ... really, Margaret! MARGARET. Forgive me, Clement!