ROBERT.
[Makes an involuntary gesture.] How? Why?
RICHARD.
[Looks away again: in a lower voice.] That is what I must tell you too. Because in the very core of my ignoble heart I longed to be betrayed by you and by her—in the dark, in the night—secretly, meanly, craftily. By you, my best friend, and by her. I longed for that passionately and ignobly, to be dishonoured for ever in love and in lust, to be...
ROBERT.
[Bending down, places his hands over Richard’s mouth.] Enough. Enough. [He takes his hands away.] But no. Go on.
RICHARD.
To be for ever a shameful creature and to build up my soul again out of the ruins of its shame.
ROBERT.
And that is why you wished that she...
RICHARD.
[With calm.] She has spoken always of her innocence, as I have spoken always of my guilt, humbling me.
ROBERT.
From pride, then?
RICHARD.
From pride and from ignoble longing. And from a motive deeper still.
ROBERT.
[With decision.] I understand you.
[He returns to his place and begins to speak at once, drawing his chair closer.]