LEONHARD
(Imployingly) Then tell me, Pauline, why are you here today?
And why did you come yesterday and last week? And why, as
we sat here Cqnietly together and your knee touched mine, why
did you tremble? Why do your eyes grow point when I speak
to you, and your lips pout with longing, even while we stand
here so conventionally?
PAULINE
Why do you ask me these things, Leonhard? I deny nothing.–
Denials are vulgar and towardly. But it would be the worst
of all lies if I were to say to you that I loved you. There
has never been a moment when I believed it myself. But there
was a moment when I was ready to become your mistress. You
let that moment pass and it will not return--you will never
even know when it was. Yes – that is life. It is no degree
for me to tell you this—and it is no particular honor for you.
It has happened many million times before. But most women in
such a case would say "I will give you the love of a sister,
a friend—ask for no other." I, Leonhard, I say to you that
I have for you about every feeling you could wish me to have,
except that of friendship. That I do not feel--(She stops
s0ddenly oa if dreaming) Did I not say that to you onse before?
LEONHARD
(Passionately) No, you have never spoken thus to me of mind
my life's happiness, mPAULIER tself perhaps, for--what is it
Strange--I seem to think so. hour of bliss--
LEONHARD
Why did you stop so suddenly? he think of this sudden decision!