Love beautifies every romance and justifies
every audacity. [Bannal assents gravely]. But there are reticences
which everybody should respect. There are decencies too subtle to be
put into words, without which human society would be unbearable.
People could not talk to one another as those people talk. No child
could speak to its parent--no girl could speak to a youth--no human
creature could tear down the veils-- [Appealing to Vaughan, who is
on his left flank, with Gunn between them] Could they, sir?
VAUGHAN. Well, I dont see that.
THE COUNT. You dont see it! dont feel it! [To Gunn] Sir: I
appeal to you.
GUNN. [with studied weariness] It seems to me the most ordinary
sort of old-fashioned Ibsenite drivel.
THE COUNT [turning to Trotter, who is on his right, between him and
Bannal] Mr Trotter: will you tell me that you are not amazed,
outraged, revolted, wounded in your deepest and holiest feelings by
every word of this play, every tone, every implication; that you did
not sit there shrinking in every fibre at the thought of what might
come next?
TROTTER. Not a bit. Any clever modern girl could turn out that kind
of thing by the yard.
THE COUNT. Then, sir, tomorrow I start for Venice, never to return.
I must believe what you tell me. I perceive that you are not
agitated, not surprised, not concerned; that my own horror (yes,
gentlemen, horror--horror of the very soul) appears unaccountable to
you, ludicrous, absurd, even to you, Mr Trotter, who are little
younger than myself.
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