Rebecca. It has? And yet—notwithstanding that, you—?
Rosmer. I never believed in it. I only played with the idea-nothing more.
Rebecca. If you wish, I will tell you all about it at once.
Rosmer (stopping her). No, no! I do not want to hear a word about it. Whatever it is, it shall be forgotten, as far as I am concerned.
Rebecca. But I cannot forget it.
Rosmer. Oh, Rebecca—!
Rebecca. Yes, dear—that is just the dreadful part of it-that now, when all the happiness of life is freely and fully offered to me, all I can feel is that I am barred out from it by my past.
Rosmer. Your past is dead, Rebecca. It has no longer any hold on you—has nothing to do with you—as you are now.
Rebecca. Ah, my dear, those are mere words, you know. What about innocence, then? Where am I to get that from?
Rosmer (gloomily). Ah, yes—innocence.