Never; and you show how little you really know her when you ask that question! She loves her husband. (MISS GODESBY: I'm not so sure about that!) I am, and I love her. But surely the silent love of a man, like mine, is no insult to a good woman--cannot harm her! A love that is never spoken, not even whispered, can't hurt any one, except, perhaps, the one who loves. You must acknowledge even you have never heard a hint; you showed just now your real surprise at what circumstances revealed to you! I'd die sooner than bring the slightest shadow of a scandal on her, and I've hugged my secret tight. Have you any idea what such a love means? How it grows and grows, its strength shut in, held back, doubling and redoubling its powers!--its ideality increasing, the passion suppressed, locked up! Good God! I tremble sometimes when I think--suppose some day it should burst out, break my control, MASTER ME! (A pause.) And here, now, I've told you; I'm sorry, but I had to for her sake again. Will you help me keep my secret? (MISS GODESBY: Yes, because I believe you.) And Mrs. Sterling?

Warden Monologue from The climbers

Rehearse Warden's monologue