< Page:Playinthreexiles00joycrich.djvu
This page has been validated.

Act I]

11

Richard

And so a coldness began between you, little by little. Is that it?

Beatrice

[Half closing her eyes.] No. Not at once. I saw in him a pale reflection of you: then that too faded. Of what good is it to talk now?

Richard

[With a repressed energy.] But what is this that seems to hang over you? It cannot be so tragic.

Beatrice

[Calmly.] O, not in the least tragic. I shall become gradually better, they tell me, as I grow older. As I did not die then they tell me I shall probably live. I am given life and health again—when I cannot use them. [Calmly and bitterly.] I am convalescent.

Richard

[Gently.] Does nothing then in life give you peace? Surely it exists for you somewhere.

Beatrice

If there were convents in our religion perhaps there. At least, I think so at times.

Richard

[Shakes his head.] No, Miss Justice, not even there. You could not give yourself freely and wholly.

Beatrice

[Looking at him.] I would try.

Richard

You would try, yes. You were drawn to him as your mind was drawn towards mine. You held back from

This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.