Basil.
Don't cry, Hilda. I can't bear it.
Hilda.
[In broken tones.] Don't you understand that we could never respect ourselves again if we did that poor creature such a fearful wrong? She would be always between us with her tears and her sorrows. I tell you I couldn't bear it. Have mercy on me—if you love me at all.
Basil.
[Wavering.] Hilda, it's too hard. I can't leave you.
Hilda.
You must. I know it's better to do our duty. For my sake, dearest, go back to your wife, and don't let her ever know that you love me. It's because we're stronger than she that we must sacrifice ourselves.
[He leans his head on his hands, and sighs
deeply. For a while they remain in silence.
At last, with another sigh, he gets up.
Basil.