Exiles

I do one thing I can do two things. As I have the name I can have the gains. Richard With increasing excitement. Bertha, I accept what is to be. I have trusted you. I will trust you still. Bertha To have that against me. To leave me then. Almost passionately. Why do you not defend me then against him? Why do you go away from me now without a word? Dick, my God, tell me what you wish me to do? Richard I cannot, dear. Struggling with himself. Your own heart will tell you. He seizes both her hands. I have a wild delight in my soul, Bertha, as I look at you. I see you as you are yourself. That I came first in your life or before him then⁠—that may be nothing to you. You may be his more than mine. Bertha I am not. Only I feel for him, too. Richard And I do too. You may be his and mine. I will trust you, Bertha, and him too. I must. I cannot hate him since his arms have been around you. You have drawn us near together. There is something wiser than wisdom in your heart. Who am I that I should call myself master of your heart or of any woman’s? Bertha, love him, be his, give yourself to him if you desire⁠—or if you can. Bertha Dreamily. I will remain. Richard Goodbye. He lets her hand fall and goes out rapidly on the right. Bertha remains sitting. Then she rises and goes timidly towards the porch. She stops near it and, after a little hesitation, calls into the garden. Bertha Is anyone out there? At the same time she retreats towards the middle of the room. Then she calls again in the same way. Bertha Is anyone there? Robert appears in the open doorway that leads in from the garden. His coat is buttoned and the collar is turned up. He holds the doorposts with his hands lightly and waits for Bertha to see him. Bertha Catching sight of him, starts back: then, quickly. Robert! Robert Are you alone? Bertha Yes. Robert Looking towards the door on the right. Where is he? Bertha Gone. Nervously. You startled me. Where did you come from? Robert With a movement of his head. Out there. Did he not tell you I was out there⁠—waiting? Bertha Quickly. Yes, he told me. But I was afraid here alone. With the door open, waiting. She comes to the table and rests her hand on the corner. Why do you stand like that in the doorway? Robert Why? I am afraid too. Bertha Of what? Robert Of you. Bertha Looks down. Do you hate me now? Robert I fear you. Clasping his hands at his back, quietly but a little defiantly. I fear a new torture⁠—a new trap. Bertha As before. For what do you blame me? Robert Comes forward a few steps, halts: then impulsively: Why did you lead me on? Day after day, more and more. Why did you not stop me? You could have⁠—with a word. But not even a word! I forgot myself and him. You saw it. That I was ruining myself in his eyes, losing his friendship. Did you want me to? Bertha Looking up. You never asked me. Robert Asked you what? Bertha If he suspected⁠—or knew. Robert And would you have told me? Bertha Yes. Robert Hesitatingly. Did you tell him⁠—everything? Bertha I did. Robert I mean⁠—details. Bertha Everything. Robert With a forced smile. I see. You were making an experiment for his sake. On me. Well, why not? It seems I was a good subject. Still, it was a little cruel of you. Bertha Try to understand me, Robert. You must try. Robert With a polite gesture. Well, I will try. Bertha Why do you stand like that near the door? It makes me nervous to look at you. Robert I am trying to understand. And then I am afraid. Bertha Holds out her hand. You need not be afraid. Robert comes towards her quickly and takes her hand. Robert Diffidently. Used you to laugh over me⁠—together? Drawing his hand away. But now I must be good or you may laugh over me again⁠—tonight. Bertha Distressed, lays her hand on his arm. Please listen to me, Robert⁠ ⁠… But you are all wet, drenched! She passes her hands over his coat. O, you poor fellow! Out there in the rain all that time! I forgot that. Robert Laughs. Yes, you forgot the climate. Bertha But you are really drenched. You must change your coat. Robert Takes her hands. Tell me, it is pity then that you feel for me, as he⁠—as Richard⁠—says? Bertha Please change your coat, Robert, when I ask you. You might get a very bad cold from that. Do, please. Robert What would it matter now? Bertha Looking round her. Where do you keep your clothes here? Robert Points to the door at the back. In there. I fancy I have a jacket here. Maliciously. In my bedroom. Bertha Well, go in and take that off. Robert And you? Bertha I will wait here for you. Robert Do you command me to? Bertha Laughing. Yes, I command you. Robert Promptly. Then I will. He goes quickly towards the bedroom door; then turns round. You won’t go away? Bertha No, I will wait. But don’t be long. Robert Only a moment. He goes into the bedroom, leaving the door open. Bertha looks curiously about her and then glances in indecision towards the door at the back. Robert From the bedroom. You have not gone? Bertha No. Robert I am in the dark here. I must light the lamp. He is heard striking a match, and putting a glass shade on a lamp. A pink light comes in through the doorway. Bertha glances at her watch at her wristlet and then sits at the table. Robert As before. Do you like the effect of the light? Bertha O, yes. Robert Can you admire it from where you are? Bertha Yes, quite well. Robert It