[Sinking down byMagda.] Papa, give her your blessing, dear papa! [A smile transfigures his face. The pistol escapes from his hand. He raises his hand slowly to place it onMarie'shead. In the midst of this motion a spasm goes through his body. His arm falls back, his head sinks.]
[Crying out.] Leopold!
[Taking her hand.] He has gone home. [He folds his hands. Silent prayer, broken by the sobbing of the women.]
[Springing up and spreading out her arms in agony.] Oh, if I had only never come! [Heffterdingtmakes a motion to beg her silence. She misunderstands.] Are you going to drive me away? His life was the cost of my coming. May I not stay now?
[Simply and peacefully. ] No one will hinder you from praying upon his grave.
[Curtain falls slowly.]
Footnote 1: Without which officers in the German army may not marry.