Basil.
I can't help it.
Hilda.
I ought never to have seen you again. I thought there was no harm in your coming, and I—I couldn't bear to lose you altogether.
Basil.
Even if I never see you again, I must tell you now that I love you. I made you suffer, I was blind. But I love you with all my heart, Hilda. All day I think of you, and I dream of you in the night. I long to take you in my arms and kiss you, to kiss your lips, and your beautiful hair, and your hands. My whole soul is yours, Hilda.
[He goes towards her again to take her in his arms.
Hilda.
Oh, no, go away. For God's sake, go now. I can't bear it.
Basil.
Hilda, I can't live without you.
Hilda.
Have mercy on me. Don't you see how weak I am? Oh, God help me!
Basil.
You don't love me?
Hilda.
[Vehemently.] You know I love you. But because of my great love I beseech you to do your duty.
Basil.
My duty is to be happy. Let us go where we can love one another—away from England, to a land where love isn't sinful and ugly.
Hilda.
Oh, Basil, let us try to walk straight. Think of your wife, who loves you also—as much as I do. You're all the world to her. You can't treat her so shamefully.
[She puts her handkerchief to her eyes, and Basil gently takes away her hand.
Basil.
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.
Be quiet, Jenny. Are you mad? Mrs. Murray, for God's sake leave us. She'll insult you.
Jenny.
You think of her, you don't think of me. You don't care how much I suffer.
Basil.
[Taking her arm.] Come away, Jenny.
Jenny.
[Shaking him off.] I won't. You're afraid to let me see her.
Hilda.
[Pale and trembling, conscience-stricken.] Let her speak.
Jenny.
[Going up to Hilda threateningly.] You're stealing my husband from me. Oh, you.... [She is at a loss for words violent enough.
Hilda.
I don't want to make you unhappy, Mrs. Kent.
Jenny.
You can't get round me with polite words. I'm sick of all that. I want to speak straight.
Basil.
[To Hilda.] Please go. You can do no good.
Jenny.