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III]

Did you hear Bertha return?

No. I wrote all the night. And thought. [Pointing to the study.] In there. Before dawn I went out and walked the strand from end to end.

[Shaking his head.] Suffering. Torturing yourself.

Hearing voices about me. The voices of those who say they love me.

[Points to the door on the right.] One. And mine?

Another still.

[Smiles and touches his forehead with his right forefinger.] True. My interesting but somewhat melancholy cousin. And what did they tell you?

They told me to despair.

A queer way of showing their love, I must say! And will you despair?

[Rising.] No.

Open the window! Open the window!