Oh, dear, how absurd that sounds again. I tell you, when once you begin to take notice of things like that … it's awfully interesting.
HOFFMANN
You may say what you please. I have warned you. Only I will tell you quite in confidence: at the time of that incident I very nearly got into the same damnable mess myself.
HELEN
But if he's such a dangerous man, why were you sincerely delighted yesterday when he …
HOFFMANN
Good Lord, I knew him when I was young. And how do you know that I didn't have very definite reasons for …
HELEN
Reasons? Of what kind?