Kroll. Incomprehensible or not, the thing is true. And now I ask
you, Rosmer, how much truth is there in her other accusation?--the
last one, I mean.
Rosmer. Accusation? Was that an accusation, then?
Kroll. Perhaps you did not notice how it was worded. She said she
meant to stand out of the way. Why? Well?
Rosmer. In order that I might marry Rebecca, apparently.
Kroll. That was not quite how it was worded. Beata expressed
herself differently. She said "I have not much time left; for
John must marry Rebecca IMMEDIATELY now."
Rosmer (looks at him for a moment; then gets up). Now I
understand you, Kroll.
Kroll. And if you do? What answer have you to make?
Rosmer (in an even voice, controlling himself). To such an
unheard-of--? The only fitting answer would be to point to the
door.
Kroll (getting up). Very good.
Rosmer (standing face to face with him). Listen to me. For
considerably more than a year to be precise, since Beata's death--
Rebecca West and I have lived here alone at Rosmersholm. All that
time you have known of the charge Beata made against us; but I
have never for one moment seen you appear the least scandalised
at our living together here.
Kroll. I never knew, till yesterday evening, that it was a case
of an apostate man and an "emancipated" woman living together.
Rosmer. Ah! So then you do not believe in any purity of life
among apostates or emancipated folk? You do not believe that they
may have the instinct of morality ingrained in their natures?
Kroll.
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