Then swiftly turning
to him.
CLARE. If I must bring you harm--let me pay you back! I can't bear
it otherwise! Make some use of me, if you don't mind!
MALISE. My God!
[She puts up her face to be kissed, shutting her eyes.]
MALISE. You poor----
He clasps and kisses her, then, drawing back, looks in her face.
She has not moved, her eyes are still closed; but she is
shivering; her lips are tightly pressed together; her hands
twitching.
MALISE. [Very quietly] No, no! This is not the house of a
"gentleman."
CLARE. [Letting her head fall, and almost in a whisper] I'm sorry.
MALISE. I understand.
CLARE. I don't feel. And without--I can't, can't.
MALISE. [Bitterly] Quite right. You've had enough of that.
There is a long silence. Without looking at him she takes up
her hat, and puts it on.
MALISE. Not going?
[CLARE nods]
MALISE. You don't trust me?
CLARE. I do! But I can't take when I'm not giving.
MALISE. I beg--I beg you! What does it matter? Use me! Get free
somehow.
CLARE. Mr. Malise, I know what I ought to be to you, if I let you in
for all this. I know what you want--or will want. Of course--why
not?
MALISE. I give you my solemn word----
CLARE. No! if I can't be that to you--it's not real. And I can't.
It isn't to be manufactured, is it?
MALISE. It is not.
CLARE. To make use of you in such a way! No.
[She moves towards the door]
MALISE.
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