Oh, my dear--never go back to that again! It is
impossible. Yes, impossible--because I must tell you this, John.
I have a--past behind me.
Rosmer. Something more than you have told me?
Rebecca. Yes, something more and something different.
Rosmer (with a faint smile). It is very strange, Rebecca, but--
do you know--the idea of such a thing has occurred to me more
than once.
Rebecca. It has? And yet--notwithstanding that, you--?
Rosmer. I never believed in it. I only played with the idea-
nothing more.
Rebecca. If you wish, I will tell you all about it at once.
Rosmer (stopping her). No, no! I do not want to hear a word
aabout it. Whatever it is, it shall be forgotten, as far
as I am concerned.
Rebecca. But I cannot forget it.
Rosmer. Oh, Rebecca--!
Rebecca. Yes, dear--that is just the dreadful part of it-that
now, when all the happiness of life is freely and fully offered
to me, all I can feel is that I am barred out from it by my past.
Rosmer. Your past is dead, Rebecca. It has no longer any hold
on you--has nothing to do with you--as you are now.
Rebecca. Ah, my dear, those are mere words, you know. What
about innocence, then? Where am I to get that from?
Rosmer (gloomily). Ah, yes--innocence.
Rebecca. Yes, innocence--which is at the root of all joy
and happiness. That was the teaching, you know, that you
wanted to see realised by all the men you were going to raise
up to nobility and happiness.
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