Valsin [coldly]. Yes. [She is crushed for the moment; then, recovering herself with a violent effort, lifts her head defiantly and stands erect, facing him.]
Eloise. You take her head because your officer punished you, six years ago, for a breach of military discipline!
Valsin [in a lighter tone]. Oh no. I take it, just as she injured me—incidentally. In truth, Citizeness, it isn't I who take it: I only arrest her because the government has proscribed her.
Eloise. And you've just finished telling me you were preparing tortures for her! I thought you an intelligent man. Pah! You're only a gymnast. [She turns away from him haughtily and moves toward the door.]
Valsin [touching his scarf of office]. True. I climb. [She halts suddenly, as if startled by this; she stands as she is, her back to him, for several moments, and does not change her attitude when she speaks.]
Eloise [slowly]. You climb alone.
Valsin [with a suspicious glance at her]. Yes—alone.
Eloise [in a low voice]. Why didn't you take the lace-maker with you? You might have been happier. [Very slowly she turns and comes toward him, her eyes full upon his: she moves deliberately and with incomparable grace. He seems to be making an effort to look away, and failing: he cannot release his eyes from the glorious and starry glamour that holds them. She comes very close to him, so close that she almost touches him.]
Eloise [in a half-whisper]. You might have been happier with—a friend—to climb with you.
Valsin [demoralized]. Citizeness—I am—I—