Ebeling.
And so she won't do it!
Frau v. Yburg.
What's come over you, Herr Ebeling? You're not listening!
Ebeling(firmly, quietly).
Very well, then sheshallnot.
Frau v. Yburg.
For God's sake! You, too! You, too, want----
Ebeling.
My dear friend, I have done all that lay in my power, often against my own convictions, I can assure you. She knows what she is doing. She will not. Very well. I'm not here to bait her to her ruin. I am very sorry, but this time I must refuse my assistance.
Frau v. Yburg.
But what will happen? Must all our work count for nothing--your work, my work? For I have worked over her with all my powers, I need not hesitate to say it, worked to place her again on those spiritual heights where a young girl of family by right belongs. I have led her back to Religion, for whoever has anything to expiate must possess Religion. I have read with her only the most carefully selected books, books that could never, never endanger a young girl's imagination. And I have taken special care to see to it that when she was in the company of young people, she should, if possible, be stricter and even more reserved than the most timid of her friends. For her need of such behaviour was double theirs, wasn't it? And you yourself will admit that my efforts have been successful. No one could deny it and look into those clear, steadfast eyes of hers. (Ebelingnods assent.) She has become all soul--all----
Ebeling(doubtingly, sadly).
Ah!
Frau v. Yburg.
Yes, indeed, Herr Ebeling. No clandestine, no unseemly wish finds its way into her heart. I'll vouch for that. She glides through life like a silent spirit, cleansed and purified.
Ebeling.
And therefore we are to throw her into the jaws of that beast.
Frau v. Yburg.
Is there any other way? Do you know of any?
Ebeling(tormented).
H'm! She certainly has suitors enough!
Frau v. Yburg.
She'll reject them all--as she has heretofore. She simply says, "I shall not begin my new life with a lie. I think too much of myself for that. And to confess, to tell the man, and have him turn his back on me, or out of pure pity raise me to his own level--I thinkentirelytoo much of myself for that."
Ebeling.
I believe one can readily appreciate her feelings.
Frau v. Yburg.
But what will become of her? Is she to wither and wear away--this heavenly young creature? (Ebelingwalks about, growing more and more excited. A pause.) Herr Ebeling, speak! Advise me!
Ebeling(firmly).
I know of only one solution: she must choose some one who knows it.
Frau v. Yburg.
Who could that be--except----?
Ebeling(breathing heavily).
Except that man, there is only one other.
Frau v. Yburg.
(Stares at him uncomprehendingly with her hands clasped, then stammering.) Oh! oh, God! What a joy that would be!
Ebeling.
What more can I say? Such things come and grow great in a man, one knows not how. She borehersorrow,hershame, I mine. At first, perhaps, it was no more than a casual fancy--no, an interest, for my inclinations were always involved--but to-day it has become a passion, a passion that, lonely man as I am, gnaws me to the very core of my being.
Frau v. Yburg.
But how have you managed through it all to keep so quiet, so deliberate, so----?
Ebeling.
One learns, little by little, to be master of oneself. And five minutes ago there was absolutely no hope, (bursting out) but if she no longer wants him--why shouldn't I--oh! (Hides his face in his hand, trembling with emotion.)
Frau v. Yburg.
Wait! I don't see, after you've led him on to this point, how you'll ever justify all this to Baron von Kanoldt.
Ebeling.
I don't know! Until now, I've led a tolerably respectable life. For, in the disgrace thatshe(pointing to the picture of his wife) brought upon me, I played no part.
Frau v. Yburg.
Oh, yes, everyone in society knows that.
Ebeling.
But I haven't once asked myself whether what I am now going to do--or should like to do--conforms to the prevailing standards of propriety. One ought to think it over, to let some time elapse--in short, I don't know! All I can say is that if she doesn't want him, if she won't take that--(checking himself)--him, well, then, the path is open to any one--to me as well as to another.
Frau v. Yburg(hesitating).
I feel that I ought to warn you of just one thing more. She has never seemed to consider you as anything more than a fatherly sort of friend.
Ebeling.
H'm! (Laughs bitterly.) Even though I'm a couple of years younger than----, I've certainly acted more like a father to her. But you're probably right. (Knocking.) Come in. (Bonathenters.)
Bonath.
I've let the clerks go home. Have you any further orders, Herr Ebeling?
Ebeling.
You can go, too, Bonath. But tell my man to answer the door.
Bonath.
Very well, Herr Ebeling. Good evening. (Bonathgoes out.)
Ebeling.
Frau von Yburg, your daughter will return in a few minutes. Meanwhile, the scene has changed not altogether insignificantly. Do you still approve of that little private heart to heart talk--or not?
Frau v. Yburg.
Ah, my dear friend, I have such boundless confidence in you. You've been her good angel for so long. I don't hesitate for a moment to leave her in your hands. And you'll carefully observe all the conventions? Of course you will.
Ebeling.
But what can I say to her?
Frau v. Yburg.
You're so skilled in reading the heart. You'll have found a way to make her confess something before she's aware of it. Only let me beg of you--if you find nothing in what she says that gives you reason to hope, then please don't worry her. She has already suffered so much.
Ebeling.
Very well, then, I'll proceed upon the assumption that I have only to comply with the request that brought you to me to-day.
Frau v. Yburg.
If you would----
Ebeling.
Hush! (Listens at the door, then pointing to the right.) May I ask you to go out this door? You know your way.
Frau v. Yburg.
And please, please, spare her delicacy. You've no idea how pure she is--in spite of----
Ebeling.
If I didn't knowthat-- (Knocking. He opens the door, right.) Good-bye.
(Frau v. Yburggoes out.)
Ebeling.
Come in.
The Servant.
A young lady is outside. She wants to know whether her mother is still here.
Ebeling.
(Hurrying to the centre door--vivaciously.) Just fancy Fräulein Margot, your mother thought you'd no longer be coming, and has only just left. (Margotappears at the centre door, and stands there, hesitating.) But won't you come in for a few moments?
Margot.
Gladly, if I may. (Looking about irresolutely.) Only I don't know whether I----
Ebeling.
What, my dear child?
Margot.
It isn't usually mamma's way to go off without me.
Ebeling.
Then I'll take you home myself. You need have no fears.
Margot.
Oh, I'm not afraid.
Ebeling(inviting her to sit down).
Won't you----?
Margot.
I'd like to look around a bit first; may I? I couldn't a while ago.
Ebeling.
I'm only too happy to think that you take some interest in my home.
Margot.
Dear me, mamma has so often told me about it. Of late years her visits to you were our principal topic of conversation. I think I've known every tiny nook here for a long, long time.
Ebeling.
Really?
Margot.
Oh, there's the stand with the horrible law books! (Sighing.) Ah, Herr Ebeling, everything in life is Law--and everything is in books.
Ebeling.
My dear young girl, the hardest laws are never to be found in books.
Margot.
Yes, you are right. The laws that drag us down to destruction are the laws that we make for ourselves. And all those beautiful women! I suppose one must be very beautiful to join them?
Ebeling(parrying lightly).
Most of them are clients who have presented me with their pictures as a token of gratitude.
Margot.
Well, but I'm your client, too--and yet I should never dare to offer you my picture in that way.
Ebeling.
If you only----
Margot(startled).
Oh, and there's your-- (Looks at him questioningly, confused.)
Ebeling.
Yes, that's my former wife.
Margot.
I saw her only once in my life. I was a mere child then. She was very lovely.
Ebeling.
Yes, she was lovely.
Margot.
Oh, and the wonder--wonderful roses! Mamma has told me that you always have such lovely roses.
Ebeling(lightly).
Yes, I have an agreement with a gardener. He keeps me supplied.
Margot(seemingly convinced).
Oh!
Ebeling.
May I present them to you, Fräulein Margot?
Margot.
Oh, dear me, no. The gardener who keeps you supplied might be offended.
Ebeling(laughing).
As you wish.
Margot.
And this is the inquisitional chair--where the poor secrets are dragged out?
Ebeling.
Quite the contrary! The secrets come forth of their own accord. I always have to say "stop."
Margot.
Well, then, I needn't hesitate to sit down. (Does so.)Mysecret you know--(sighing)--only too well!
Ebeling.
My dear Fräulein Margot; the real secret of your life, the law that governs your thoughts and feelings, I believe no one knows--not even your mother.
Margot(smiling and shrugging her shoulders).
My good mamma! And I'm here to give you proofs of that fact, am I?
Ebeling(evasively).
Oh!
Margot.
The reason for my being here isn't the one you've given me.
Ebeling.
Indeed! What is it?
Margot.
I wasn't left here alone for nothing! Please go ahead, Herr Ebeling, do your duty and talk me nicely into marrying Baron von--(shudders). See?--I've never once been able to bring his name to my lips. And yet I'm to pass my whole life with that man! Can one picture anything more horrible? (Shudders again.) Do you know of any occupation for me, Herr Ebeling?
Ebeling.
Occupation? Why?
Margot.
I want to leave home.
Ebeling
Is that your earnest intention?
Margot(nods).
But, unfortunately, I've learned nothing. And then--it has to be an occupation that wouldn't humiliate me--and that wouldn't spoil my hands (takes off her gloves), for I love my hands. I don't care a bit about my face, but my hands--they're like two friends. I can keep up long conversations with them--especially with the left. That one's so weak. So, something that wouldn't spoil the hands--and would leave me time for reading--and--well, I want to be alone.
Ebeling.
I might have suggested nursing, even though it requires the constant use of the hands. But, of course, you'd never be alone.
Margot.
No. I have no love for my fellow-creatures. I don't want to do anything for them.
Ebeling.
Those are hard words, Fräulein Margot.
Margot.
I am hard. What have my fellow-creatures ever done for me?
Ebeling.
And--your parents?
Margot.
You refer to mamma? Mamma certainly means well. But mamma has torn my soul from my body. She has made use of the old principle of family rule--which may have had some sense in the Stone Age--and has turned me into a doll, a doll-creature that moves its eyes and saysbawhen you press its head.--Just watch, Herr Ebeling!--Now haven't I a touching fashion of casting up my eyes when I look at you in this simple, thoughtful, innocent way?--And when I let the lids fall again in all the bashful piety that I still can muster--isn't it simply sweet?
Ebeling(earnestly).
My dear young girl, I really believe I must begin to say "stop" now!
Margot.
Dear me! You're already disgusted with me! But if you had any idea--do you know what you'd think? "Pity that I wasted such pains on a creature like her!"
Ebeling.
I should never think that, my dear child. I should only pity you and love you the more.
Margot.
I don't want to be pitied! And loved? (Shakes her head.) At least not that way--and not the other, either. That's still stupider. When I listen to my friends--this one loves me, and that one loves me, and this one kept my glove, and that one kissed my handkerchief--ugh! It reminds me of the cackling of a lot of hens. Herr Ebeling, do you believe criminals are scornful?
Ebeling.
Why do you ask?
Margot.
Please answer.
Ebeling.
It's very often true of born criminals.
Margot.
Well, then, I've the criminal nature.
Ebeling(laughing against his will).
Tut, tut, my dear child, why so--all of a sudden?
Margot.
Because I inwardly shrug my shoulders at everything that goes by the name of Innocence. I keep thinking to myself, "You silly sheep, what do you know about it?"--Ah, and yet, I envy them! At the balls, I see everything as through a veil. The things that the men chatter about sound far, far away--oceans off. I always feel like saying, "Don't trouble about me. Go to that girl over there. She's stupid enough." And then--after I've come home--I weep, weep from sheer envy and utter boredom, weep until I have to turn my pillow.--And mamma? Mamma drags me from ball to ball: I mustn't be unlike the others, you know!
Ebeling.
My dear child, if this goes against your nature, why don't you make some resistance? Why don't you show your mother that you have thoughts and feelings of your own which must be respected?
Margot.
Ah, my dear Herr Ebeling, just be a whipped dog yourself, year in year out! The dog doesn't resist either--but suddenly, some day--when he's at the very end of his endurance--he bites his master's hand. I shall bite soon!
Ebeling.
Oh, I'll grant you that your mother has probably made some mistakes. But only out of love, or because she knew no better. Just ask yourself what would have become of you if you'd been left to yourself all this time?
Margot.
I should have been embittered just the same--you're right--but I should not have let myself fall.
Ebeling.
Who knows?
Margot.
Never! And I'll tell you something to prove it. Severely as I have been watched--and--surely there's nothing coquettish about me?
Ebeling.
Certainly not.
Margot.
You can believe me when I say that, in the general moral tone prevailing over our society just now--and of which our mothers naturally know nothing--there lurks a temptation which has over and over again enticed even me. Such things are so personal, so secret--one cannot describe them. Oh, I could have done whatever I wished! But I said to myself: the first time, you were ignorant, you were sacrificed--or, at least, you can talk it into yourself that you were sacrificed--but if ever again--no, I can't say it after all!
Ebeling.
I understand, my child.
Margot.
If ever again--then you'll be lost--forever! Then there can be no more ideals, no more poetry--nothing lofty--nothing for which to work--and, worst of all, nothing of which to dream. For to dream--ah, one must dream, mustn't one? When one no longer hasthat!----
Ebeling(moved).
Yes, dear child.
Margot.
But you mustn't think that I'm trying to make myself interesting, or that I stand here before you beautifully whitened and purified! Oh, no! What I'm going to say to you now has never been said to any one, to any man before. And you are going to despise me utterly. But I must say it--once, once in my life--and then the old hypocrisy can go on again. Well, I don't know what it is, but it's like a fire in me. No, worse, much worse! When I think of that frightful man, my heart fairly shrivels up. And yet--I can never get away from it. There's always a terror, a horror in me; and yet there is always an eternal--an eternal hunger. Yes--a restlessness--a search--the whole day long. It's strongest toward twilight. Then I want to go out--out into the wide world--to fly to unknown lands. Then I think to myself--out there, no one knows you; out there, there is no sin. Ah, it's as if I were lashed! And I heap such reproaches upon myself because of it! Even now you have not heard the worst. I must tell you the worst, too. Well, you know how I hate that man--yet, sometimes it seems to me that I must go to him and say to him--Behold, here I am again!
Ebeling(jumps up, muttering to himself).
What has he done? The scoundrel! The blackguard!
Margot.
There! Now you know on whom you've wasted your sympathy! Now I can go. (Stands up, snatches her muff, and prepares to leave.)
Ebeling.
(Who has been silently walking up and down more hotly.) It appears then that you still love that man.
Margot(with a short, cutting laugh).
Oh, Herr Ebeling, if you've gatheredthatfrom all I've said, then I might just as well have addressed myself to the four walls. I've been hoping for three long years that you would secretly manage the thing in such a way that I'd never have to see him again in all my life--never, never--not even from a distance.
Ebeling.
Why did you never confide in me before? Why to-day for the first time?
Margot.
Canone do such a thing? Is one ever allowed to? I'm a well-bred young girl, you know. I must observe the conventions. How I came to do it to-day, I don't know myself. But formerly when you were alone with me, did you ever, at any time, give me to understand, even by a glance, that you--you knew anything--about me? Do you think such an attitude gives one courage? Ah, and in my need I've prayed so often, "Dear God, let him see into my soul! Ifhedoesn't free me, no one will." Instead, you've only plunged me the deeper--pushed me before you--always deeper into misery--into the arms of that beast--into the filth. (Sinks into a chair, sobbing.)
Ebeling.
(Regards her confusedly, then approaches her.) Dear child! That wasn't my intention! (Laying his hand on her shoulder caressingly.) My dear, dear child!
Margot.
(Grasps his hand, and presses her cheek to it. As he tries to free it, she holds it the more closely.) Oh, don't leave me. I'm so lonely!
Ebeling.
My dear, dear child. (He bends down to her and kisses her on the brow. She throws her arms about his neck and draws herself close to him. He kisses her lips. She lets her head fall heavily upon his shoulder and remains motionless while he caresses her gently. With a sudden impulse she flings him from her, and sinks back in the chair.) Margot, my darling. Have I hurt you? Are you offended at what I did? If I've misunderstood, if I have abused your confidence, I earnestly beg you to forgive me.
Margot.
Oh, I've so hungered--so hungered--for this--kiss!
Ebeling(turning eagerly toward her).
Margot!
Margot(warding him off).
No! Go away! Go away!
Ebeling.
But you don't refuse me? And I'm not too old?
Margot(passionately bursting into laughter).
Oh!
Ebeling.
I was never free from the fear that you might not see anything in me except an image of that wasted, old creature. (Instead of answering,Margotstretches out her arms to him with a soft cry of longing.Ebelingdraws the low stool to the writing-chair on which she is sitting, sits down upon it, and embraces her.) Margot, my youth, my whole youth that I've squandered and frittered away comes back to me once more through you. And now all will be well with you, too. It was only a nightmare. Your true self had nothing to do with it. Only--you must take heart again--you must think of yourself now.
Margot(ecstatically).
Yes, I am equal to anything now. I am not afraid to face the worst. I can even marry that man. I shall send him my acceptance quite calmly.--Of course. Why not?
Ebeling(shocked).
What!
Margot.
Why should you be astonished at that? Now that I know you love me? Only for a year! Perhaps for two! Yes, two! Oh, please, two! Then, later, when you've left me, let others come! It's all the same, who! For marriage, of course, I'm entirely spoiled! But I'll be revenged on him! On him and on Virtue and on Loyalty and on all that stuff with which they've so long tormented me. And the evening before my wedding--then may I--come to you again? Toward twilight! It must be on a Sunday. I'll arrange for that, so we can be alone. Ah, I shall count the days till then! Why do you look at me like that? (Ebelingstands up and throws himself on the sofa, burying his face in his hands. A long pause.) What can I have done? (She stands up. Another pause.) Surely I haven't done you any wrong by loving you?
Ebeling.
Go home now, my child.
Margot.
I wanted to leave some time ago, but you made me stay. (She buttons her coat, throws on her boa, and is about to go out. Then she turns around resolutely, and places herself before him.) Oh, I know--I'm disgraced--I'm not worthy of anything better--; but I needn't have had to enduresuchscorn and contempt! (Ebelingrises, looks at her, groans, buries his face in his hands, and falls back into the chair.Margotkneels beside him, weeping.) Dear--dearest--what is it? What's wrong, my darling?
Ebeling(compelling himself to be composed).
Stand up! (She does so.) I am going to tell you. (Stands up himself.) I asked your mother's consent to my marrying you to-day. There, now you know it. Good-bye. (Sits down in the writing-chair. A pause.)
Margot.
(Does not move. Her face becomes hard and bitter.) And now that you see what sort I am----H'm, yes. Ah, well, you'll soon console yourself. There are so many others. Why should it be just I? Let me suggest one of my friends--a dear--a pretty girl--with white teeth. Why take it to heart? It hurts for the moment--but one easily forgets. Such girls as I deserve nothing better. To them--one does this! (Plucks the petals from the roses which are standing before her in the vase.) And then one throws them away--like this! (Throws the petals in his face.)
Ebeling(brushing away the petals).
What have the roses done to you, my child?
Margot.
I sent them to you. I, too, may destroy them.