"It is because I love you so. My love of you is so devoted, so idolatrous, that I would have every one who sees and knows you approach you with a reverence, a homage equal to mine own. Not even in thought must any one dare to sin against you."
"And do I give cause to the contrary?"
"You do not, but your surroundings do; and this Kárpáthy woman has a very equivocal reputation."
"Rudolf, my good Rudolf, why are you so incensed against this poor woman? If you only knew her, you would say there was not a more honourable woman in the whole world."
"I know all about her; and you, from sheer compassion, have made her a present of your heart. Your sympathy does you honour, but the world has an opinion of this woman very different from yours: in the world's opinion she is frivolous enough."
"The world is unjust."
"Not altogether, perhaps. This woman has a past, and there is much in that past which justifies the world's judgment."
"But in her present there is much which contradicts that judgment. This woman's present conduct is worthy of all respect."
Rudolf tenderly stroked the head of his consort.
"My dear Flora, you are a child; there is much you do not understand, and will not understand. In the world there are ideas, ugly, extraordinary ideas, of which your pure, childlike mind can form no notion."