and polite.)

CLEMENT. Oh ... Herr Gilbert, if I'm not mistaken?

GILBERT. Yes, Baron. Happening to pass this way on a journey to the
south, I could not refrain from coming to pay my respects ...

CLEMENT. Ah, I see ... (Pause.) I'm afraid I have interrupted a
conversation--I should be sorry to do that. Please don't let me be in
the way.

GILBERT (to MARGARET). Ah ... what _were_ we talking about?

CLEMENT. Perhaps I may be able to assist your memory. In Munich you
always used to be talking about your books ...

GILBERT. Ah ... precisely. As a matter of fact, I _was_ speaking of my
new novel ...

CLEMENT. Oh ... then please go on. It's quite possible to discuss
literature with me--isn't it, Margaret? What is your novel? Naturalist!
Symbolist? A chapter of experience?

GILBERT. Oh, in a certain sense we all write but of things we have
lived.

CLEMENT. That's very interesting.

GILBERT. Even when one writes a Nero, it's absolutely indispensable
that at least in his heart he shall have set fire to Rome ...

CLEMENT. Of course.

GILBERT. Where else is one to get inspiration except from oneself?
Where is one to find models except in the life around one? (MARGARET is
growing more and more uneasy.)

CLEMENT. The trouble is that the model's consent is so seldom asked.
I'm bound to say, if I were a woman, I shouldn't thank a man for
telling the world ... (Sharply.) In decent society we call that ...
compromising a woman.

GILBERT. I don't know whether I may include myself in "decent
society"--but I call that doing honor to a woman.

CLEMENT. Oh!

GILBERT. The essential thing is to hit the mark. What, in the higher
sense, does it matter whether a woman has been happy in one man's arms
or another's?

CLEMENT. Herr Gilbert, I will call your attention to the fact that you
are speaking in the presence of a lady!

GILBERT. I am speaking in the presence of an old comrade who may be
supposed to share my views on these matters.

CLEMENT. Oh ...!

MARGARET (suddenly). Clement ...! (Throws herself at his feet.)
Clement ...!

Clement (taken aback). Really ... really, Margaret!

MARGARET. Forgive me, Clement!

CLEMENT. But--Margaret ...! (To GILBERT.) It is extremely unpleasant
for me, Herr Gilbert ... Get up, Margaret--get up! It's all right.
(MARGARET looks up at him inquiringly.) Yes--get up! (She rises.) It's
all right--it's all settled. You may believe me when I tell you. All
you've got to do is to tele