This page has been validated.
Act I]
5
Beatrice
Very much.
Richard
You must have known it before. Did you? [She does not answer.] Do you blame me?
Beatrice
No.
Richard
Do you think I have acted towards you—badly? No? Or towards anyone?
Beatrice
[Looks at him with a sad puzzled expression.] I have asked myself that question.
Richard
And the answer?
Beatrice
I could not answer it.
Richard
If I were a painter and told you I had a book of sketches of you you would not think it so strange, would you?
Beatrice
It is not quite the same case, is it?
Richard
[Smiles slightly.] Not quite. I told you also that I would not show you what I had written unless you asked to see it. Well?
Beatrice
I will not ask you.