Gerardo. Did I make any advances to you?
Helen [passionately]. No, no. I have thrown myself at you, and would throw myself at you again. Neither my husband nor my children could keep me back. When I die, at least I will have lived; thanks to you, Oscar! I thank you, Oscar, for revealing me to myself. I thank you for that.
Gerardo. Helen, calm yourself and listen to me.
Helen. Yes, yes, for ten minutes.
Gerardo. Listen to me. [Both sit down on the divan.]
Helen [staring at him]. Yes, I thank you for it.
Gerardo. Helen!
Helen. I don't even ask you to love me. Let me only breathe the air you breathe.
Gerardo[trying to be calm]. Helen—a man of my type cannot be swayed by any of the bourgeois ideas. I have known society women in every country of the world. Some made parting scenes to me, but at least they all knew what they owed to their position. This is the first time in my life that I have witnessed such an outburst of passion.... Helen, the temptation comes to me daily to step with some woman into an idyllic Arcadia. But every human being has his duties; you have your duties as I have mine, and the call of duty is the highest thing in the world....
Helen. I know better than you do what the highest duty is.