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[Looks away again; in a lower voice.] That is what I must tell you too. Because in the very core of my ignoble heart I longed to be betrayed by you and by her—in the dark, in the night—secretly, meanly, craftily. By you, my best friend, and by her. I longed for that passionately and ignobly, to be dishonoured for ever in love and in lust, to be

[Bending down, places his hands over mouth.] Enough. Enough. [He takes his hands away.] But no. Go on.

To be for ever a shameful creature and to build up my soul again out of the ruins of its shame.

And that is why you wished that she

[With calm.] She has spoken always of her innocence, as I have spoken always of my guilt, humbling me.

From pride, then?

From pride and from ignoble longing. And from a motive deeper still.

[With decision.] I understand you.

May it not be that we are here and now in the presence