Marsden
[Flurriedly—going to him]
Don’t take her seriously, Professor!
[Thinking with nervous repulsion]
Nina has changed .. . . all flesh now . . . lust . . . who would dream she was so sensual? . . . I wish I were out of this! . . . I wish I hadn’t come here today! . . .
Nina
[Coldly and deliberately]
Don’t lie any more, Father! Today I’ve made up my mind to face things. I know now why Gordon suddenly dropped all idea of marriage before he left, how unfair to me he suddenly decided it would be! Unfair to me! Oh, that’s humorous! To think I might have had happiness, Gordon, and now Gordon’s child—
[Then directly accusing him]
You told him it’d be unfair, you put him on his honor, didn’t you?
Professor Leeds
[Collecting himself—woodenly]
Yes. I did it for your sake, Nina.
Nina
[In the same voice as before]
It’s too late for lies!
Professor Leeds
[Woodenly]
Let us say then that I persuaded myself it was for your sake. That may be true. You are young. You think one can live with truth. Very well. It is also true I was jealous
