Wittich.
What have you got to say about it?
Pierre.
I beg your pardon, Herr Wittich. I certainly don't want to offend you. But--as Julia and I have found so much in each other--haven't we, Julia, dear?
Julia.
Yes--so very, very much, Pierre, dear.--And to know that we were so near--and yet could never see each other or talk together, or-- I, for my part, couldn't endure it, could you, Pierre?
Pierre.
Oh--as for that--well, it would be hard, Julia, dear.
Julia.
And what would the world say, dear George, if we should suddenly--and apparently without any cause--break off all communication with our neighbors? How would Pierre explain it to his mother? Why, he simply couldn't! No; if we are to carry out your plan, then everything must remain outwardly the same as before. Don't you agree with me, Pierre, dear?
Pierre.
(Hesitating, with an apprehensive glance towardWittich.) Outwardly--yes, Julia, dear.
Wittich(losing control of himself).
So that's your condition, is it?
Julia(with a sort of nervous impudence).
Yes, that's our condition--isn't it, Pierre, dear? (Pierredoes not reply, but looks atWittich.)
Wittich.
Really?--Really!--Very well! (He draws himself to his full height, his face flushes, and he looks around the room wildly, as if searching for something.)
Julia.
What are you looking for, George?
Wittich.
If you-- (Gasps as if suffocating.)
Julia.
George! George! What's the matter?
Wittich.
There--there--there! (With a loud cry, he falls upon the weapons and snatches one of the daggers.)
Julia.
Help! Help! Pierre! Save me!
Pierre(at the same time).
Help! Help! (He pushes open the door and escapes, screaming.Juliarushes out through the door at the left.Wittichdashes after her. A piercing shriek is heard. After a short pause,Juliaappears at the large door in the centre. She tries to go further, fails, supports herself against the door posts for an instant, and then reels into the room. She attempts to lean against the small table in the centre, but falls to the floor, dying. As she falls the small table is upset, burying her beneath a shower of roses.
Through the doorway at the left,Wittichis heard, sobbing and groaning. In the distancePierreis shouting for help. The sound of many voices, growing louder as the curtain falls.)
Herr Ebeling, a lawyer.Frau von Yburg.Margot, her daughter.Doctor von Tietz.Bonath, a secretary.A Servant.
Herr Ebeling, a lawyer.
Frau von Yburg.
Margot, her daughter.
Doctor von Tietz.
Bonath, a secretary.
A Servant.
The Present Day
The scene is laid in a large German city.
The richly furnished office of a prosperous lawyer. Pictures, bronzes, carved furniture, costly hangings. In the foreground, on the left, a window; turned toward it, a writing-table with a writing-chair behind. Near the window, a leather arm-chair. At the narrow side of the table, in the foreground, a low seat. On the right, a sofa, table, and chairs. In the background, a door which, when opened, reveals the clerks working at long tables. To the right, back, another door. The backward projection of the writing-table forms a revolving-stand for reference books. On the writing-table, among documents and writing materials, are photographs in standing frames and a slender vase filled with dark red roses.
It is winter, about six o'clock in the evening. The lamps are lighted.
Ebelingis seated in the writing-chair. He is a man of about forty, attractive, winning in manner, his clothes betokening wealth and refinement; he wears a short, dark beard, and his hair is slightly gray at the temples.Von Tietz,sitting opposite him in the arm-chair, is about thirty, very smartly dressed--in appearance a type of the ordinary drawing-room devotee.
Ebeling(holding out a box of cigars).
There! Now let's chat. Will you smoke?
v. Tietz(helping himself).
Really now--if I'm disturbing you----
Ebeling.
See here, my dear fellow, if you were disturbing me, I'd make short work of you. But (looking toward the clock) my office hours are over. And we'll find out immediately what else there is. (He rings.)
v. Bonathappears with a bundle of papers.
Ebeling.
Is any one still there?
Bonath.
No, Herr Ebeling, but a lady is expected.
Ebeling.
Yes, I know. Well, let me have the papers. (Bonathlays them before him.)
Ebeling.
(Tov. Tietz.) You can go on speaking. These are only signatures.--Have you a light?
v. Tietz.
(Who has stood up and is looking around the room.) Yes, thank you.
Ebeling.
See that this decision is delivered to Baron von Kanoldt at once.
Bonath.
Yes, Herr Ebeling.
v. Tietz.
You've become a collector, I see.
Ebeling(signing).
One must have some diversion.
v. Tietz.
What's that? Looks like a Terburg. Is it an original?
Ebeling(signing).
Would you expect it to be a copy?
v. Tietz.
H'm, your practice is certainly splendid.
Ebeling.
There are a lot of people, though, who think they are cleverer than I--and take great pains to justify their opinion. (ToBonath.) Will it be necessary to work overtime?
Bonath.
Not to-day, Herr Ebeling.
Ebeling.
Then you can announce Frau von Yburg as soon as she comes. (v. Tietzlistens attentively.)
Bonath.
Very well, Herr Ebeling. (Goes out.)
v. Tietz.
The lady you are expecting is Frau von Yburg?
Ebeling.
Of course you know that I've been the Yburg's legal adviser for years.
v. Tietz(sitting down).
Well, really, this is quite a marvellous coincidence. It's on account of the Yburgs that I've come to see you.
Ebeling(interested).
Is that so? What's the matter?
v. Tietz.
My dear friend, if you hadn't so completely drawn away from all society since your wife l---- (alarmed.) I beg your pardon.
Ebeling.
Go on! Say it! Left me! Walked out of the house! You may say it. But then--drop it! Even our old fraternity friendship doesn't oblige us to be everlastingly putting each other on the grill.
v. Tietz.
No, really--it escaped me somehow. I'm awfully sorry.
Ebeling.
Oh, well, never mind. You know, I speak of it quite disinterestedly. And it's a good many years since then. Only--I'd rather not be attacked unawares.
v. Tietz.
Don't worry. I'll be on my guard. But--as we've mentioned it--there's something I wanted to ask you before--only I hadn't the courage. Tell me, do you always keep her picture on your table?
Ebeling(in a hard voice).
Yes.
v. Tietz.
Then you still love her?
Ebeling.
No. I only keep the picture there to warn me against making a fool of myself again. So many charming women sit there where you're sitting, women just on the point of divorce--and therefore in need of consolation. Every now and then one of them undertakes to faint--um--and then I have to-- (Holds out his arms.)
v. Tietz(bursting out laughing).
Aha! Very interesting! Very interesting!
Ebeling.
In short, it does no harm to keep the picture there.
v. Tietz.
Of course, everyone knows how much courted you are. For instance, no matter when I come to see you, I always find those beautiful roses on your table. They speak for themselves. Heavens! What a luxury! Roses in January!
Ebeling.
Things like that come anonymously. If I knew who the sender was, I wouldn't accept them.
v. Tietz.
Let me with all due modesty give you a piece of advice: you ought to marry.
Ebeling.
(Ironically, shaking his finger at him across the table.) Thank you. But didn't you want to speak to me about the Yburgs?
v. Tietz.
Yes. What was I going to say?--Oh, yes. Well, if you hadn't taken it into your head to live like a hermit, you'd know that, for some time past, I've been a very frequent visitor at the Yburgs's.
Ebeling.
Oh, yes, I know. I go there myself sometimes--only not when other people are around.
v. Tietz.
Well, then, to make a long story short--why should I mince matters with you?--I am courting Margot.
Ebeling(startled).
Ah--you, too? You're also one of the crowd?
v. Tietz(conceitedly).
I trust that I stand up a bit above the crowd.
Ebeling.
Indeed? I thought perhaps the social glamour of the Yburgs was attracting you. A thing like that can't help dazzling one. But that you----
v. Tietz.
Is it so surprising? That girl is so bewitching--so--so entirely unlike these forward, city-bred girls. With her, at least, one knows what one can count on. She's so--so the essence of everything innocent and chaste and pure.
Ebeling(quoting).
"Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow,"--thy dowry shall not escape me.
v. Tietz.
No, no--don't joke. It's out of place. I won't deny that, as an official without fortune--that would also be very--h'm--but----
Ebeling.
Yes, but what have I got to do with it?
v. Tietz.
See here, my dear friend, we scattered remnants of the old college fraternity have grown so accustomed to ask your help in times of need, to look up to you as a sort of father confessor----
Ebeling.
Do you want me to go and propose for you?
v. Tietz.
We'll talk of that later. But first I'd like to ask you something. See here, what rôle is Baron von Kanoldt playing in this family?
Ebeling.
So that's it!
v. Tietz.
You're his counsel in his divorce proceedings, aren't you?
Ebeling.
As the affair has become common talk, I need make no secret of it.
v. Tietz.
They say that it is the wife who has been the martyr. And yet, after fifteen years,hebegins the divorce proceedings. Why should he?
Ebeling.
My dear fellow, you must put that question to some one who's not so well informed as I am.
v. Tietz.
Oh, see here, I don't want to be indiscreet about it, but the further the case goes, the more persistent are the rumours that he has designs on Margot's hand--and, furthermore, that her mother is encouraging him!
Ebeling.
Frau von Yburg will be here in a few minutes.--Ask her!
v. Tietz.
What do you take me for?
Ebeling(shrugging his shoulders).
Oh, well then----
v. Tietz.
But just think! that man--forty, if he's a day, fat, worn out, a roué whose amorous adventures are common gossip to every cabby on the street!
Ebeling.
Pardon me, my clients are all virtuous, young, handsome, desirable--of inestimable pulchritude.
v. Tietz.
See here--are you chaffing me?
Ebeling.
I'm only trying to make you understand that you've unwittingly walked into the enemy's camp.
v. Tietz(standing up).
Very well--if you don't want to----
Ebeling.
(Also stands up, and puts his hand onv. Tietz'sshoulder.) My dear fellow, you're ten years younger than I. You're one of your country's young hopefuls. Go ahead and do what your heart and pocket-book bid you.
v. Tietz.
I didn't need you to tell me that. (A knock at the door.)
Ebeling.
Come in.
Bonath.
Frau von Yburg and----
Ebeling.
Ask her in.
(Bonathstands aside, opening the door. EnterFrau v. YburgandMargot.Frau v. Yburgis a woman of about forty, dressed simply but tastefully; her bearing is dignified, self-possessed, refined, and betrays a natural, unaffected knowledge of the demands of convention; but hidden behind her assurance, and scarcely noticeable, are the traces of an old sorrow, a helpless glance, and a forced smile. Margotis a lovely young girl, extremely well-bred, with a somewhat shy, reserved manner.)
v. Tietz(at sight of Margot).
Ah!
Frau v. Yburg.
I brought my little girl along, Herr Ebeling, to let her catch a glimpse of the lion's den. I hope that you won't mind.
Ebeling(kissing her hand).
A thousand times welcome, dear ladies. (Shakes hands withMargot.)
Frau v. Yburg.
Good evening, Herr von Tietz. This is indeed a pleasure. (Gives him her hand.)
v. Tietz.
I'm very happy to meet you both--I hadn't hoped to see Fräulein Yburg here. But our friend believes in military promptitude. I have just received permission to take my leave.
Frau v. Yburg.
I hope that you will come to see us soon, Herr von Tietz.
v. Tietz.
That's very kind of you. (Bowing toMargot.) Fräulein Yburg!
Ebeling(accompanying him to the door).
Good-bye, my dear fellow. No bad feelings now----
v. Tietz.
Oh, I say! Of course not! (Goes out.)
Ebeling.
Won't you sit down?
Frau v. Yburg.
Oh, no. Margot is only going to glance around a bit. Yes, my little girl, you may well look about. Between these four walls many a fate has been shaped.
Ebeling.
Let us rather say, has been mended.
Margot(softly, suddenly looking up).
Mine, too?
Frau v. Yburg.
(Looking at her with evident disapproval.) Perhaps Margot may call for me again in half an hour. You won't mind?
Ebeling.
It will give me great pleasure.
Frau v. Yburg.
Then run away, dear, pay your visit, and let the carriage bring you back again. (Sits down, right.)
Margot.
(Giving him her hand with social assurance, but a little timidly, none the less.) Au revoir, Herr Ebeling.
Ebeling.
Au revoir, Fräulein Margot. (Accompanies her to the door, and calls.) Bonath, see to it that Fräulein Yburg finds her way out. She is coming back later.
Voice ofBonath.
Very well, Herr Ebeling.
(Ebelingbows toMargot,who is already out of sight, and closes the door.)
Ebeling.
Well, Frau von Yburg, we've brought matters to this point.
Frau v. Yburg(sighing).
Yes.
Ebeling.
The divorce was granted yesterday morning.
Frau v. Yburg.
Yes, I know.
Ebeling.
Well, aren't you pleased?
Frau v. Yburg.
My dear Herr Ebeling, my heart is so full of gratitude--really, I don't know how to thank you--for myself and also for my poor, dear child. But I'm so helpless--so perplexed--I really don't know--I----
Ebeling.
Why, what can be wrong?
Frau v. Yburg.
Yes--just fancy--well, then--she won't do it!
Ebeling(astonished).
What's that?
Frau v. Yburg.
Think of the monstrosity of it! She won't do it.
Ebeling.
Has she been notified that the divorce has been granted?
Frau v. Yburg.
Yesterday--just after the proceedings--Baron von Kanoldt--came--with his proposal.
Ebeling.
H'm!--quicker than I had expected.
Frau v. Yburg.
My husband, of course, was simply thunderstruck. One can surely sympathise with him--von Kanoldt--a man in the forties--divorced--with grown children--andsucha reputation! But when he saw that I took the man's part--I had to do that, didn't I?
Ebeling.
That was our only course.
Frau v. Yburg.
Then his position, his wealth, his connections at court--oh, yes, and naturally our long friendship-- Of course, my husband doesn't surmise what this man did to her! In the end, he agreed that Margot herself should decide.
Ebeling.
Well, and--? What----?
Frau v. Yburg.
She came, looked him quietly in the face, and asked for time to think it over.
Ebeling.
It seems to me your husband was very clever. Otherwise, he might perhaps have----
Frau v. Yburg.
Yes, but when we were alone, just fancy! she declared quite simply: "No, I won't do it." I exclaimed, "Why, my dear child, you're out of your mind! You know that we've done everything for the sake of this day!" "Yes, I know all about it--but I won't." "You've been wishing it for three years," I said to her. And what do you suppose she answered! "I never wished it. You talked it into me--and he."
Ebeling.
"He?" Pardon me, who?
Frau v. Yburg.
You, Herr Ebeling.
Ebeling(standing up in his excitement).
My dear lady, it was my duty to carry out what you and Fräulein Margot desired--and what, in short, the circumstances demanded.
Frau v. Yburg.
Oh, I know! My God, how well I realise it! And what a task you've accomplished! No--when I remember how much persuasion, how much subtle reasoning, how much-- Ah, and how I've suffered these three years! See, my hair is quite gray!--And I still can't understand it! I still look upon the girl as if she were a stranger, a mysterious being who has lost her way and accidentally come to me. I--I who was brought up so strictly, watched, and carefully tended all my life, kept worlds away from any taint of the unconventional-- And she, too-- No, on that point, I can't reproach myself. And yet--this horror! No, I shall never, never understand it! Ah, and to have to bear it all alone! Oh, yes, I had to do that. My husband, with his long army training, would have forced him to fight--and then we should all have been dragged in the dust. Margot's life--our position in society--everything! Ah, if you hadn't been here, Herr Ebeling! Do you remember how I came to you? I think I was half dead from wretchedness! With the letter to him in my hand, the letter that I had taken from her as she lay distracted in my arms! Do you remember?
Ebeling.
Oh, don't speak of it! As I read that handwriting--still so childish--and that helpless, stammering question: "What has happened to me?"--God knows, everything turned black before my eyes! Oh! it's too horrible!
Frau v. Yburg.
And then you yourself said to me, "You're right--the blackguardmust. I'll make him."
Ebeling.
I said it in the heat of the first great indignation. Please take that into consideration. After I went to work, I religiously kept to my programme to leave all threats and violence out of the question. Not only because-- Ah, as I've come to feel now, such a calm method of procedure would be impossible. But then I had to keep in mind that a new life--I don't venture to say a happy one--was to be gained through me. To-day, some one is grateful to me--the very one who at first opposed me most violently--that poor, wretched wife.
Frau v. Yburg.
And now everything would have been forgiven. I can't understand it. I don't know--I----
Ebeling.
So she won't do it?
Frau v. Yburg.
And that's why I've fled to you in my need! Later, when she returns, I want to have gone. You understand? I've arranged it this way so that you could bring her to her senses. A little heart to heart talk, you know. But if your influence doesn't help, then I don't know--then----
Ebeling(walking up and down).
And so she won't do it.
Frau v. Yburg.
Yes, just explain it to me! The only possible way in which to rehabilitate herself in her own eyes! And she throws it to the winds! What can she be thinking of? What----