Bertha
I will tell you if you ask me.
Richard
You will tell me. But I will never know. Never in this world.
Bertha
[Moving towards him.] I will tell you the truth, Dick, as I always told you. I never lied to you.
Richard
[Clenching his hands in the air, passionately.] Yes, yes. The truth! But I will never know, I tell you.
Bertha
Why, then, did you leave me last night?
Richard
[Bitterly.] In your hour of need.
Bertha
[Threateningly.] You urged me to it. Not because you love me. If you loved me or if you knew what love was you would not have left me. For your own sake you urged me to it.
Richard
I did not make myself. I am what I am.
Bertha
To have it always to throw against me. To make me humble before you, as you always did. To be free yourself. [Pointing towards the garden.] With her! And that is your love! Every word you say is false.
Richard
[Controlling himself.] It is useless to ask you to listen to me.
