BRIGID.
Yes, ma’am.
[She goes out on the left.]
BEATRICE.
I will go now, Mrs Rowan, before he comes.
BERTHA.
[Somewhat timidly.] Then we are friends?
BEATRICE.
[In the same tone.] We will try to be. [Turning.] Do you allow me to go out through the garden? I don’t want to meet my cousin now.
BERTHA.
Of course. [She takes her hand.] It is so strange that we spoke like this now. But I always wanted to. Did you?
BEATRICE.
I think I did, too.
BERTHA.
[Smiling.] Even in Rome. When I went out for a walk with Archie I used to think about you, what you were like, because I knew about you from Dick. I used to look at different persons, coming out of churches or going by in carriages, and think that perhaps they were like you. Because Dick told me you were dark.
BEATRICE.
[Again nervously.] Really?
BERTHA.
[Pressing her hand.] Goodbye then—for the present.