Grace.
Oh, Claude, if you love me at all, give in to me this time. You don’t know what it means to me. I’ve often been horrible to you, but I’m going to be different. I want to love you. I want to be more to you than I’ve ever been. Claude, I implore you to do what I ask you—just because I ask it, because you love me.
Claude.
[Withdrawing himself a little.] I could not love you, dear, so much, loved I not honour....
Grace.
[Interrupting passionately.] Oh, no, don’t, Claude; for God’s sake be sincere and natural. Can’t you forget that you’re a landed proprietor and a J.P. and all the rest of it, and remember that you’re only a man, as weak and as—as frail as the rest of us? You hope to be forgiven yourself, and you’re utterly pitiless.
Claude.
My darling, it’s just as much for your sake that I’m firm.
Grace.
[Impatiently.] Oh, how can you make phrases! What on earth have I got to do with it?