[Shrinking--dully.] Yes, that is--perhaps--what I need--ah! [Sinks in chair.]
Why, what is the matter? Shall I get you a glass of water? Or would you prefer wine?
[With an effort.] Wine--wine--there--in the bowl! [He helps her--she drinks.] Thank you! [Stirred.] No one has ever waited on me before!
I will carry you upon my hands
Very well, Pastor; but no one must know before the wedding!
Perhaps on the wedding day--at the wedding feast? Papa might make the announcement; that would be such a fitting occasion!
No, no! I will have to much to do then.
Then, when the happy pair have gone?
[With sudden, impulsive decision.] Yes, when they have gone!
[Takes her hand.] Thank you. Miss Marie.
[Voices are heard outside.]
Sh--[Withdrawing her hand.]
[Enters.] Ah, here you are, Pastor; we have been looking for you everywhere!
I am coming now, Miss Gertrude.
It's too late, Pastor, they are all returning!
Impossible! Well, well, how the time passes, and one hardly knows how!
[ExitPastor.]
[EmbracingGertrude.] Will you forgive me, darling?
[Timidly.] I have nothing to forgive!
Do not say that! I have done everything--everything--you must----
[Enter all.]
Well, my dear Pastor, time stands still for no one; so you had better stop excusing yourself and empty your glass. 'Twill all come out right in the end.
I think I had better go now; for here every one is making fun of me.
Pastor, I need hardly tell you, that you are always welcome in this house.
I am sure of it, Mr. Brauer! If I did not think so, I would not take that matter so lightly----
[Jokingly threatens him with finger.] Pastor----
[With a happy glance atMarie.] Good-night. [Shakes hands with all.]
Good-night!
Good-night, Miss Marie!
[Shaking his hand.] Good-night, Pastor! [George,with a questioning glance, advances a step or two.]
George, see the Pastor to the gate!
[As though awakening.] Yes, uncle.
[Both exit.]
Well, Henry, everything has quieted down!
It's about time, too! Why, its eleven o'clock! Come, let's to bed.
Good-night, papa!
[Affectionately.] Good-night, my pet!
Good-night!
By the bye--when will you be back?
To-morrow, about ten, papa!
Now be careful; no unnecessary exertions--understand? The day of the wedding will be hard enough on all of us.
Yes, papa dear! [Kisses him.]
[Enters at this moment.] We have still an hour and a quarter till train time. I will wait for you here, Marie.
You might help each other pass away the time.
I want to sit up, too.
Tut, tut, ray pet; you go to bed, you need the rest.
[Whiningly.] Well then, good-night.
[In silent fear.] I can't stay here---- Mama, I want to ask you about something----
Then you will come down in time for the train?
Yes, in time for the train.
Good-night, George.
Good-night, auntie!
[ExitMrs. Brauer,GertrudeandMarie.]
You know where my cigars are?
Yes!
And if you need anything to keep you awake--I have left the key----
[In monosyllables.] Thank you!
Well, what in----
What's the matter---- Oh, my dear uncle, if I have failed to pay you the necessary respect, I beg your pardon.
Respect? Oh, damn you and your respect!
Uncle----
See here, perhaps I did wrong?
You--wrong? How?
Have you forgotten what passed between us yesterday?
My dear uncle, that seems to me so far, far away!
It strikes me you are going at a pretty fast gait!
At any rate, uncle, do not worry about it. It will all come out right in the end. [As he is listening towards the door, gives a sudden start.]
What's the matter?
I thought I heard some one----
Some one of the family perhaps, upstairs. Very well, then all is well, my boy! Good-night, my son.
Good-night, uncle!
[Brauerexits, shaking his head.]
[Sits at table--tries to read--listens, goes to door C.--calls out softly into the garden.] Who is there? [Still softer.] Is that you, Marie?
[Whining outside.] It's only me!
[Surprised.] Gertrude, what do you want?
[Gertrudeenters in nightgown and flowing hair.] I am so uneasy, George dear; I just wanted to look at you once more before going to sleep.
But, little one, if papa should see you like this---- Quick, go back to your room.
I cannot, my heart is so heavy.
How so, dear?
George, I have been thinking; I really am not good enough to be your wife.
Wha--what nonsense----
I am too silly--oh, yes; I never know what to say to you! I am so stupid.
Why, my child--darling--pet----
A while ago, out in the garden, and the moon shining so brightly, you walked by my side in deep silence----
Why, mama was with us----
George, it is yet time. If you love some one else----
In heaven's name, child, have you ever mentioned this to any one?
Only to papa; he was very angry and scolded me dreadfully.
H'm! Now listen to me, my pet----
Rather than make you unhappy, I would jump into the river----
In the first place, your presence here in this condition is decidedly improper----
But we are to be married in three days----
So much more reason. [Stroking her hair.] What beautiful hair you have, dear!
[Happily.] Do you like it?
And in the second place, I will have none other than you. We will love each other very much. At first you will be my playmate--and then--later, perhaps--my real mate. Are you satisfied?
Yes, dear!
And now, you must go to bed!
Then I will wrap myself in my hair--and I will dream of you and what you said--that it is beautiful--and so I will fall asleep. Good-night, George dear!
[Kisses her on the forehead.] Good-night!
[He gloomily takes position at table with a sigh whenGertrudeexits, covering his face with his hands.Marieenters softly.]
Marie, you have come----
It is early yet, is it not?
We have a full hour more. Have they all gone to bed?
I think so. All the lights are out.
Come, sit here----
I--I--I think I will go back upstairs!
No, no; here is something to read! You see, I'm reading myself.
Very well. [Sits.] But, George, I would really prefer to go to the depot alone.
[Softly.] Marie! [She shuts her eyes.] Are you tired? [She shakes her head.] One whole hour I will have you all to myself!
George----
Marie!!!
The fires have all gone out, I suppose?
Ah, yes; a small pyre of wood--it is soon burned down!
And then it's as dark as ever!!! But, George, how beautifully you spoke this evening! I have never heard anything like it before.
You were the only one who understood me.
No wonder! It was as though I spoke the words myself--that is, I don't mean to say----
What, dear?
Oh, you know!
But I don't know!
[After a pause.] George, I have something to confess to you. In fact, that is why I came down here so soon. You shall know it, you alone. I have this day given my hand----
[With a start.]Marie!!!!
[Astonished.] Well?
To whom?
Why, to the pastor! Who else could it be? There is no one else!
[Reproachfully.] Why did you do that? Why did you?
I have my whole life before me, and the fires [pointing to fields and to heart] will not burn forever----
[Bitterly.] You should not have done it--you--it is a----
Sh--not so loud!
But you do not love him at all!!!!
How do you know?
[Bitterly,] How? Of course, how should I? I don't know! Pardon me! Well, I congratulate you!
[Quietly.] Thank you!
But why am I the first one to be taken into your confidence? Why not uncle? We two have not been so intimate as----
No, we two have not been very intimate--I only thought----
So, then, we have both our burden; and we soon will have to part. Therefore we can now safely speak of the past. My manuscript you read! You even went so far as to perjure yourself on account of it. Oh, you don't mind a little thing like that! I wish I were the same! You know the subject of my verses, and we must now understand each other fully. Now, tell me openly, why, why did you treat me so unkindly, to say nothing worse, in former days?
Did I, George?
'Tis hardly necessary to remind you of all the indignities you heaped upon me. It almost seemed to me as if you purposely intended to drive me mad. Do you remember the day when I followed you into the cellar, and you turned and ran out and locked the door, and compelled me to remain there all night?
[Smiling.] Yes, I remember!
Why did you do that?
That is very simple. You are Count von Harten--and I?--I am but a poor Lithuanian foundling--aye, worse than that. If you follow such a one into the cellar, she knows, or at least thinks she knows, your purpose.
So, that was the reason! And at the same time you went under your manzanillo-tree to die?
[Nods.]
And did you never realize the real state of things? Gertrude was then still a child--and because I could not win you, I took her. Did that thought never occur to you?
How could I ever dare to think that?
But later?
The day before yesterday, when I read your book, I felt it for the first time.
And now, it is too late----
Yes, now it is too late! Had I felt then as I do now, I would not have resisted you----
Marie, do you know what you are saying?
[Breaking out.] Oh I don't care, I don't care! It is my fate. You must rule and govern--and I--I must serve; and in the end--we both must die----
Marie, you should be loved, you must be loved--beyond all senses--loved beyond all measure!
[Pointing towards R.] He loves me!
He?--Bah!!!
Don't be angry, George dear; you don't dare love me yourself. You can never be anything to me!
No, never; for this house must be kept clean. No, no, this house must not be soiled. We would both suffocate in our shame. But we can think of what might have been; that is not sin, is it?
What were your words? "They are the wild birds of paradise, that have escaped us." That was it, was it not? How beautiful!
I don't remember!
But I am not a wild bird, George; I am tame--so tame----
You are tame?
For you, George dear, only for you!!!
Marie, my love! [Strokes her hair affectionally, then moves away.] No, no, we must be strong! Only a few minutes ago, Gertrude came softly down those stairs; if she should come again--my God----!
What did she want?
You can imagine----
The poor thing! But you will love her?
As well as possible! But then I must not think of you.
But you must not think of me--and I will try and not think of you!
Never, Marie?
Only occasionally--on holidays----
Only then?
And on St. John's eve----
When the fires are burning?
Yes, and when the fires are out, then I shall cry----
Marie!!!!
No, no, George, sit still--I will sit here. Some one might be in the garden, after all.
They are all sound asleep!
Even so! We must be brave; not for mine--but for your sake, George.
Why did you say that? What do you think of me?
I think you are hard-hearted.
And yet you love me?
Yes, I love you, for your own sake. For you have had to struggle and fight--and that is what made you what you are. I have also fought and struggled; but I have lost faith in myself--lost faith in everything. If you only knew!! Sometimes I am afraid of myself--sometimes I would commit murder, so restless and without peace I am.
With me you would have found peace. We would have worked together and planned through half the nights--and you know how ambitious I am.
And so am I, for you! You should be the first and greatest. They all shall bow before you--I myself will kneel before you and say to you: "You love to rule and command? Now rule--now command!!!!!!"
[Throws herself before him--her arms around his knees, looking up.]
Marie, in heaven's name rise! If any one should see you so----
Let them see me----
Marie!!
[Rising.] You are right. It was low in me. But he who originates where I do, is low--so low----
Don't think of it, Marie! Think of this house and all the love it has given you!
How quiet everything is--not a sound to be heard--as silent as the grave----
Then be content, for they have buried us together!