Is that the reason?

BEATRICE

No.

RICHARD

Why, then?

BEATRICE

Otherwise I could not see you.

(She looks at him for a moment and then turns aside quickly.)

RICHARD

(After a pause repeats uncertainly.) Otherwise you could not see me?

BEATRICE

(Suddenly confused.) I had better go. They are not coming back. (Rising.) Mr Rowan, I must go.

RICHARD

(Extending his arms.) But you are running away. Remain. Tell me what your words mean. Are you afraid of me?

BEATRICE

(Sinks back again.) Afraid? No.

RICHARD

Have you confidence in me? Do you feel that you know me?

BEATRICE

(Again shyly.) It is hard to know anyone but oneself.

RICHARD

Hard to know me? I sent you from Rome the chapters of my book as I wrote them; and letters for nine long years. Well, eight years.

BEATRICE

Yes, it was nearly a year before your first letter came.

RICHARD

It was answered at once by you. And from that on you have watched me in my struggle. (Joins his hands earnestly.) Tell me, Miss Justice, did you feel that what you read was written for your eyes? Or that you inspired me?

BEATRICE

(Shakes her head.) I need not answer that question.

RICHARD

What then?

BEATRICE

(Is silent for a moment.) I cannot say it. You yourself must ask me, Mr Rowan.

RICHARD

(With some vehemence.) Then that I expressed in those chapters and letters, and in my character and life as well, something in your soul which you could not-- pride or scorn?

BEATRICE

Could not?

RICHARD

(Leans towards her.) Could not because you dared not. Is that why?

BEATRICE

(Bends her head.) Yes.

RICHARD

On account of others or for want of courage-- which?

BEATRICE

(Softly.) Courage.

RICHARD

(Slowly.) And so you have followed me with pride and scorn also in your heart?

BEATRICE

And loneliness.

(She leans her head on her hand, averting her face. Richard rises and walks slowly to the window on the left. He looks out for some moments and then returns towards her, crosses to the lounge and sits down near her.)

RICHARD

Do you love him still?

BEATRICE

I do not even know.

RICHARD

It was that that made me so reserved with you-- then-- even though I felt your interest in me, even though I felt that I too was something in your life.

BEATRICE

You were.

RICHARD

Yet that separated me from you. I was a third person I felt. Your names were always spoken together, Robert and Beatrice, as long as I can remember. It seemed to me, to everyone...

BEATRICE

We are first cousins. It is not strange that we were often together.

RICHARD

He told me of your secret engagement with him. He had no secrets from me; I suppose you know that.

BEATRICE

(Uneasily.) What happened-- between us-- is so long ago. I was a child.

RICHARD

(Smiles maliciously.) A child? Are you sure? It was in the garden of his mother's house. No? (He points towards the garden.) Over there. You plighted your troth, as they say, with a kiss. And you gave him your garter. Is it allowed to mention that?

BEATRICE

(With some reserve.) If you think it worthy of mention.

RICHARD

I think you have not forgotten it. (Clasping his hands quietly.) I do not understand it. I thought, too, that after I had gone... Did my going make you suffer?

BEATRICE

I always knew you would go some day. I did not suffer; only I was changed.

RICHARD

Towards him?

BEATRICE

Everything was changed. His life, his mind, even, seemed to change after that.

RICHARD

(Musing.) Yes. I saw that you had changed when I received your first letter after a year; after your illness, too. You even said so in your letter.

BEATRICE

It brought me near to death.