wait until he had come back and begun to establish his position in the world. That was the square thing. And Gordon was quick to agree with me!
Marsden
[Thinking]
The square thing! . . . but we must all be crooks where happiness is concerned! . . . steal or starve! . . .
[Then rather ironically]
And so Gordon told Nina he’d suddenly realized it wouldn’t be fair to her. But I gather he didn’t tell her it was your scruple originally?
Professor Leeds
No, I asked him to keep what I said strictly confidential.
Marsden
[Thinking ironically]
Trusted to his honor again! . . . old fox! . . . poor Gordon! . . .
But Nina suspects now that you—?
Professor Leeds
[Startled]
Yes. That’s exactly it. She knows in some queer way. And she acts toward me exactly as if she thought I had deliberately destroyed her happiness, that I had hoped for Gordon’s death and been secretly overjoyed when the news came!
[His voice is shaking with emotion]
And there you have it, Charlie—the whole absurd mess!
[Thinking with a strident accusation]
And it’s true, you contemptible . . . !
[Then miserably defending himself]
No! . . . I acted unselfishly . . . for her sake! . . .
