[Rafaelgoes up, faces the three men at the back; they slink off. He returns, showing a new determination in his face.
Sachel.
He ought to marry; then he would appreciate that.
The Rabbi.
Marry? Who spoke of marrying? He doesn't want to marry yet; I wouldn't have him marry yet. Don't try to hurry Rafael; he's not the fellow to stand it. My dear friends, when the time comes, and a strong, fine-looking young fellow makes up his mind that——
Rafael.
It is a good idea. I have been thinking of marriage all day.
Sachel.
Eh, you have? Now what sort of thoughts did you have? I suppose you thought I would object, eh?
Esther.
But he doesn't know any girls. He never looks at them!
Rafael.
I know one.
Esther.
Indeed! And whom, pray?
Rafael.
Aaron's daughter—Rebecca. Do you know her?
[SachelnudgesThe Rabbi.
Esther.
This is where she lives; and she came to see us yesterday, with her father.
Rafael.
Indeed! What did he come for?
Esther.
To sell some wool! She's a fine girl, I should say.
Rafael.
A delicate person—a retiring person—a shrinking person!
Esther.
Oh, not too much so.
Rafael.
[As if disappointed.] Then you think she is not so sensitive a creature?
Esther.
Well, I should say shewasperhaps rather sensitive.
The Rabbi.
Shrinking, I should say.
Sachel.
Shrinking; she is shrinking, I should say!
[A pause.
Esther.
Well——
The Rabbi.
And——
Sachel.
And did——?
Rafael.
Eh? Rain—rain? Oh no!
The Rabbi.
Speaking of Rebecca reminds me, and I will tell you an anecdote——
Rafael.
Curious coincidence that, just as my mind was full of thoughts of love and matrimony, in should burst this same Rebecca!
Sachel.
Eh? eh?
[He nudgesThe Rabbi.
The Rabbi.
Curious? Not at all! Beauty, health, cleverness—the idea is in the air, wherever she goes. If I were a young man—but such matters are not for my concern until they are brought to the synagogue—I should——
[Rebeccaappears at the window ofAaron'shouse.
Rafael.
True, Rabbi, true! And you do wisely not to meddle with them. Do you know there was a faint suggestionin the air—like the subtle odour of some tender flower—that possibly Rebecca would not be averse to marrying me!
Sachel.
Well, well, well! Hee, hee!
[He nudgesThe Rabbi.
Esther.
Dear me; love at first sight!
Rafael.
Not at first sight; we have had previous interviews——
Sachel.
Eh? eh? The rascal!
Rafael.
——about fourteen years ago. And now we have met again, and I thought she would be willing to marry me, but being so shrinking a creature, like—what shall I say—like a snail withdrawing into its shell——
[Rebeccadraws back in pain.
Esther.
[Mildly deprecating.] Oh!
Rafael.
She would not say so in as many words.
[Rebeccalooks out again.
Esther.
I am sorry for the poor girl; for, if the truth be told—But, there, you are not serious about anything!
Sachel.
Why do you say "poor girl" when she would bring——
The Rabbi.
But Rafael doesn't look to dowries; he has a romantic turn. The fact that she would bring five or six thousand guilders——
Sachel.
Ten thousand guilders!
Rafael.
Ten thousand guilders! [In irony.] H'm! But—Oh, well, I'm not a very keen observer, Rabbi; it is probable that Rebecca never——
The Rabbi.
On the contrary. For, speaking of that very matter, which, of course, is no affair of mine, she——
Rafael.
Quite true, quite true! What did you say, aunt?
Esther.
Eh? Oh, I was going to say that she begged your photograph of me yesterday, and when it dropped into the canal she was almost ready to cry.
Rafael.
H'm! But it was careless of her to drop me into that nasty canal!
Sachel.
It blew in; there came a great gust of wind.
Rafael.
The wind must have been Aaron, disputing the value of his wool!
The Rabbi.
Good! Good! Ha, ha, ha! He has a mind; he will not let his heart run away with his head!
Rafael.
And so Rebecca——H'm! But I shall not letmy heart run away with my purse. I should hold my hot young blood in bounds!
Sachel.
Not always! Not always! A young man must have his day!
Rafael.
But is she well? Is she sound? One cannot be too cautious. I knew of a girl who seemed as strong as a green peach on a tree; and she had not been two days married when, what do you think? Why, she died! She knew she was going to die, but she never told him! That's awful, awful! Oh! Oh! I could not stand a thing like that! [The Rabbirises to look atRafael'sface.] I have a soul, Rabbi, I know, because you taught me so, and a deception like that—it would kill my love.
[Rebeccadraws in, distressed.
The Rabbi.
Are you serious?
Rafael.
Am I serious? He asks me if I am serious! But that was not Rebecca. You think Rebecca is——
The Rabbi.
She's as honest as her father!
Rafael.
Ah! Two of them, as honest as each other! [The Rabbihas growing appreciation of the irony.] H'm! But a good housewife? A good needlewoman? Sharp over the counter? My father has not slaved to feed the idleness of another man's daughter!
Esther.
I'll answer for that. I thought I could bake cakes, but she's coming to-morrow to teach me how! You never tasted such cakes!
The Rabbi.
Indeed, I believe I have heard them spoken of.
Sachel.
[Who has been musing.] Eh—cakes? You cannot expect a girl to know everything. Anyway, she's coming to-morrow; and Esther is going to——
Rafael.
Esther is going to learn from her. Excellent!
Sachel.
Eh? [He is nudged byEsther.] Yes, yes!
Rafael.
Good, good! I half suspect that—that you look with favour on Rebecca. We—we had considerable conversation this morning, we talked of money—and love—and——
Sachel.
They talked of love! Now, what did you say of love?
Rafael.
And we talked of money—and of children—and of—money.
[Estherlooks atThe Rabbi;she also now in dawning suspicion ofRafael'sirony.
Sachel.
Ha, ha! They talked of love and children! Of love and children! We must have some wine, Rafael—this is the house of a friend. Esther, you go and fetch it. Now what——
Esther.
They charge two prices at that place around the corner.
Sachel.
I say we will have some wine! Some good wine! Go!
Esther.
Very well; it is a season of denial with us.
The Rabbi.
But the extreme heat! [Whispers.] Get some from my house.
[ExitEsther.
Sachel.
H'm! They talked of children and love! And what did you say about children, my boy? Ah, they are beautiful things; though I could not see one, I could fondle it! What about children, my boy?
Rafael.
We said that they should each have two cradles; one with a soft pillow of burnt wool and one with a hard pillow of burnt cotton, so that they should learn the difference before they were old enough to tell the sun from a silver coin.
[An angry gesture fromThe Rabbi.
Sachel.
Eh, what—H'm! Yes, yes, but later—later would do as well. And about love, Rafael; what did she say about love?
Rafael.
Oh, she is a shrinking creature—as shrinking aswool unmixed with cotton! And, at first, she would not talk of love, but at length she said that when she was married she expected to have a dozen——
Sachel.
A dozen! That's too large a family in such times as these!
Rafael.
A dozen of everything.
Sachel.
Ah yes—a dozen of everything, Rafael; a dozen of the finest. Her father has told me so.
EnterEsther,followed by a servant with glasses of wine on a tray.
And a dowry of ten thousand guilders! What do you think of that, my boy? The wine—here! I shall propose a toast! [He takes a glass and gives glasses to the others;EstherandThe Rabbitake theirs unwillingly.] Here! Here!
The Rabbi.
[Holding his glass towardRafael.] I suggest a toast to an open heart—to a tongue that leads no man astray!
Rafael.
Hear! The Rabbi suggests that—withhistongue! I'll drink that toast withyou, Rabbi!
Sachel.
It is my wine! I am proposing the toast! I——
The Rabbi.
[ToSachel.] You had better drink in silence, and go home. You are deceiving yourself: you know not where you stand!
Rafael.
What! What does he mean, father? Am I deceiving myself? Are you not planning to marry me to Rebecca? Do you fear, then, that I have fallen in love with her? Is she not an honest girl—a shrinking girl—a girl as good as Father Aaron?
Sachel.
Yes, and better!
Rafael.
Will she not bring me a dozen of everything, and ten thousand guilders? Could man ask more? What's wrong here? Why do they not raise their glasses?
Sachel.
Because they will not let me manage my own affairs! He is my son, not yours! It is my wine, not yours! Drink, then, drink to Rebecca, the richest girl in the Ghetto, a beautiful young girl, a marvellous young girl——
[Estherturns appealingly toThe Rabbi;both look on in distress and perplexity.
Rafael.
But they do not raise their glasses, father; they will not drink, father! Why? Do they see handwriting on the wall? Do they think I have forsaken my race? Do they think I have given my heart and soul to the heart and soul of another? Why do they not raise their glasses?
Sachel.
Let them throw it on the ground if they will! Every one tries to thwart me, every one but you; but they shall not! I am Sachel! Drink with me! Drink to Rebecca, your wife, Rafael! For this day I have seen Aaron; I have sat with him—yesterday and to-day I have sat with him! I have laboured with him, my boy; your father was not wanting! He would have squirmed into my house with eight thousand;but I raised him! I raised him two thousand, my boy! We have agreed, agreed! She is yours, Rafael—yours! To Rebecca, my daughter-in-law! Now will you drink—will you clink your glasses? [He reaches about;no one clinks;Rafaelturns away and pours his wine on the ground.] Where are you? I'm all alone! What's the matter? What's the matter?
Rafael.
They have not touched their glasses, father! They stand staring at you, without words!
Esther.
Sachel, come home!
Sachel.
What do you mean? You fools, what do I care what you mean! He's going to stay at home and be my boy, my comfort, my staff in my old age; he's going to marry Rebecca! Rafael and Rebecca! Rafael and Rebecca! Does it not sound beautiful—beautiful!
EnterAaronby way of the street, draggingRebeccaby the hand; she holds back in deep mortification.
Aaron.
Ha, ha! It does! It does!
Rebecca.
Father!
Aaron.
Don't be afraid, my girl. [To the others.] I suspected what you were doing! Rafael—[effusively]—since the day she was born I've had an eye on you! Eh, what's the matter? Why are you all so glum?
Rafael.
[He goes to the table and gets a glass, then back.] On this solemn occasion, sir, I was about to propose a toast.
Sachel.
Yes.
Aaron.
[Goes to table.] We'll drink it here.
[He offers the glass toRebecca.
Rebecca.
I don't want to drink, father; I want to go in, father!
Aaron.
Bosh! What are you afraid of? Speak on, my boy!
Sachel.
Yes, speak on, and speak your soul to them! Theyneed not think to thwart this marriage! Let them beware!
Aaron.
[Surprised.] What's this about?
Rafael.
It's about my soul—my soul that leaps its bounds at last—my soul that speaks from the heart of a man! [A passer-by at the back stops to listen.] My soul that dwelt in the wilderness—a rumbling, roaring, raging, lying, sweating wilderness of traffic in the things of earth—my soul in the wilderness crying in vain, in vain, for the love of another soul like mine. Is it not so, Rebecca?
Aaron.
Hear, hear!
Rebecca.
Let me go, father!
Rafael.
Letmego, father; letmego! I would not be slain on the altar, father! The knife is in my flesh! This is the blood of my heart! O God, criethmy soul in vain? Where—where is the angel that shall stay my father's hand?
[A crowd slowly gathers.
Aaron.
Masterly! Masterly! Here she is! What an auctioneer he would make!
Rafael.
What an auctioneer I should make! Ah! [He runs and stands on the synagogue steps.] My father bids me sell my soul! Shall I sell it cheap—my soul and my heart's blood? Shall it be knocked down to the solitary thirsty first who bids? I, to whom the stench of avarice is the breath of morning and night—I, who have seen a man sell his soul on the scales——
Sachel.
What does he mean by that?
Rafael.
I—to be knocked down for two pink lips and a banknote! See—my red heart's blood! See—see—see! And you would have me sell it for ten thousand pieces of silver! And I say no! no! no!
Aaron.
He wants more! Oh! I will not give it, do you hear? It is an insult to ask more—an insult to my daughter!
Rebecca.
Father, come away!
Esther.
Sachel, come home!
Sachel.
Let me be! What does he want? What does he mean?
Aaron.
Ha, ha! he wants more!
Rafael.
I want more! The sale shall be public! [The crowd thickens.] I will have my price. Who bids more? Who bids? What do you bid, my girl?
Rebecca.
Nothing—nothing—I——
[Exit.
Rafael.
She bids all she has, and yet I will not take it! More—more—who bids me more?
Aaron.
Ha, ha! ten million guilders, idiot!
EnterRosa,at the back.
Rafael.
He bids ten million guilders, and that is still too small. You bid nothing but money, money; have you nothing else? Who comes? Who bids? Who bids? See, see—[He points toRosa,who has worked forward, pressed by the crowd.] Another bidder! Another bidder! The angel—the angel come to stay my father's hand!
[Estherand others turn fiercely onRosa.
Rosa.
[Panic-stricken, pressed by the crowd.] Rafael! Rafael!
Sachel.
It's Rosa! It's Rosa!
Rafael.
Rosa, Rosa, what do you bid? They bid money, nothing but money; and you—you——
Rosa.
[Wringing her hands.] Rafael!
Sachel.
She calls him Rafael! A curse! A damning curse!
[The crowd murmurs.
Rafael.
Silence! It is my blood we are drinking! It is my soul we are selling! [ToAaron.] And you bid more than all you have, and yet it will not do; and you, Rosa, angel—angel—for my heart—for my soul—bid, bid!
Rosa.
For your heart—my heart! For your soul—my soul!
Rafael.
Ha, ha! Going! Going!
The Rabbi.
Going the way of the profligate—to the damned!
[Exit into the synagogue, closing the doors.
Rafael.
Gone to the highest bidder! She has been my wife for months! [Sachelsinks into a chair; hisses and groans from the crowd.] Now let the Ghetto damn me if it can!
One of the Crowd.
She's a Christian!
[The crowd surroundRafael,who holds them at bay.]
END OF THE THIRD ACT.
THE FOURTH ACT
Scene:The same asAct I.It is seven days later.Aarondiscovered at the door; he holds some letters in his hand.
Aaron.
I had rather talk to you here.
EnterSachel,pale, bowed and trembling; the two sit on a bench at the right.
Then it is true that you have not heard from Rafael for a week? What happened that day, after the officers had dispersed the crowd?
Sachel.
[With a sob, then restraining his emotions.] He brought her back here to get the few things that belong to her. He said that as soon as he had done with Hanakoff he would come and get her. Then he went away. He said he would be back in themorning; and he has been gone a week! My God, it was I who made him so anxious to leave—it is the judgment of the Almighty upon my sins!
Aaron.
[Calculatingly, as he looks at the letters in his hand.] Oh, he's your son; I fancy if he got in the vicinity of harm, he saw it before it saw him! And the girl, why do you let her stay here?
Sachel.
The Rabbi! The Rabbi came here and made me promise to keep the girl until Rafael could find a home for her. I thought it would be the next day; I promised. The Rabbi said he repented the strong words he had uttered when he slammed the door of the synagogue. H'm! The Rabbi is not much better than you, or at least, than me! The only difference is that the Rabbi is always repenting! If Rafael would only come back, I'd let him keep the girl here for ever—what do I care! I want my son—the only thing I live for!
Aaron.
But doesn't the girl know where he is?
Sachel.
No, no. Esther kept telling me that Rosa has hadno word from Rafael. I would not believe it; and this morning I took hold of her; I cursed her up and down for not telling me where he was. She said if she knew where he was she would walk to him, if it was a thousand miles, rather than stay another night under my roof. Then, for the third time this week, she had a fit of hysterics—I never heard such sobs in all my life! When she quieted down she went up and put on the rags she first came here in; and since then she has refused to take food from us; she won't enter the house; she is wandering about here somewhere now. I don't know; though she be a Christian and a pauper, I suppose I'll have to accept her for my daughter-in-law, if he'll only come!
Aaron.
She, that broke up your home and took your son away from the finest young woman in the Ghetto? She, that robbed him of his faith and brought him to a pass where every one is saying that he has run away rather than face the consequences of his acts? H'm!
Sachel.
What am I going to do? If he's dead, Iwillkeep her! Isn't she the only one in the world whose sorrow will approach mine?
Aaron.
But if he is not dead? If he comes back? [Circumspectly makes as if to open one of the letters.] Look here—
[Enter theRabbi;Aaronhastily puts away the letters.
Oh, the Rabbi! [Whispers.] We must get rid of him. I want to talk to you.
Rabbi.
Good evening! How is that girl? Is she still crying her eyes out? It's pitiful! It is dangerous! I must see her!
[AaronnudgesSachel.
Sachel.
She's all right. I have not heard her stir since she went to bed.
Rabbi.
Oh, she's gone to bed—good! Sachel, Rafael had my promise to protect that girl; and I will protect her. Last Saturday we were all overwrought; we were taken by surprise. But now that we all realise it, it comes to this: Rafael has married a Christian girl; she knows what an affront this is to the religion in which Rafael was reared, and to which inevitablyhe must return his full devotion when he grows an older and wiser man. Now there is but one remedy: Rosa must become a Jewess. Not to-night or to-morrow; but she must be influenced to open her heart to the faith of her husband; and she must be urged to welcome a future day when she shall enter the synagogue and come forth from there with all the hatred, all the revulsion which she has seen in our faces to-day, buried for ever! Teach her to be thankful that this is Holland, where a Christianmaybecome a Jewess.
Aaron.
Rabbi, your sentiments are worthy of your calling. Sachel and I have been talking; we both regret our bitter words of that day. Sachel has become reconciled—as much as any Jew could. And, to tell the truth, we had gone so far as to dismiss the subject and to devote ourselves to a very important matter of business which had to go over from Friday.
The Rabbi.
I see—I see! I am very glad, then! We must make Rosa understand the things that are glorious in our religion; the inspirations that have sustained us through centuries of the bitterest persecution thatmen have ever known. And she must believe that we shall cling to them until that supreme day when Jerusalem is peopled anew with the race which God has chosen for His own. Is it not so?
Sachel.
Yes, yes! And we'll walk a little way with you. Then, Aaron, you can come back, and we can go on with that business.
[They go up:The Rabbistops at the bridge.
The Rabbi.
Very well; but you will treat the young girl tenderly, my friends? Look here; you and Esther and Rafael bring her to my house some night when there will be no one else there. We'll let her feel the warmth of our hearts, as if she were already a Jewess. We will show her what the inner life of the Jews is; the life that the Christians have no conception of. And so we will work upon her better nature; but—yes, yes, I see you are busy. You are not worrying about Rafael, then?
Aaron.
Oh, he'll be all right. I'm sure of it.
[They start off over the bridge.
The Rabbi.
I'm glad to see you here, Aaron. It does you credit to forget your disappointments!
[Exeunt.
A bell tolls ten o'clock. EnterRosa.Her pallor and the tremor of her voice show the effects of intense emotional strain.
Rosa.
The very hour that he went away, and seven days are gone! Seven days—and he stood here and took me in his arms! Oh!—[turning]—you who cry after me that Rafael has deserted his Christian mistress; it is because you never knew the love of anything but money! You look down—always down! But the same clear sky was over our heads when he kissed me here, and we looked up to it and thanked God, who made us dare to lead our life in open truth before the world! LetGodpunish us for loving each other, if that be a crime! Oh,doesHe punish us? Where is my Rafael, you star that watched over us then! I love him, I love him; I cannot live without him—sweet star, tell me where he is to-night! Oh, it is from pity that you will not tell! And he lies cold and dead! Rafael, Rafael, I'm all alone—all alone! [Weeps.] No, no; it can't be that! Dear God, whosees me here among these aliens, you could not be so cruel to your own! Not so cruel as that! Not so cruel as that!
[She sobs; exit.
EnterAaronandSachel.
Aaron.
Where is Esther?
Sachel.
Can't you hear her snoring? I can, though she is away at the back of the house! I have not slept seven hours in these seven days!
Aaron.
Do you think the girl has any suspicion that Rafael may have found that he has undertaken the impossible? If he did throw her off—I don't say that he has—but if he did, it must strike her that she wouldn't have a place to go in all the world!
Sachel.
She believes in him.
Aaron.
When he is with her, yes! But when he is away, and she waits and waits, are not all women alike? Doesn't she know that he has sacrificed every guilder that he might have had from you?
Sachel.
I said that to them. Why did I not hold my cursed tongue! He hadn't a copper in his pocket; the poor boy had given away everything he had, to bury Mordecai's son.
Aaron.
And does not she know that he gave up every friend he had, too, when he forsook his religion? These things must have passed through her mind.
Sachel.
What do I care what is passing inhermind!
Aaron.
Of course, of course! [Pulls the letters from his pocket.] But the main probability is that Rafael will soon return. I am only thinking whether before he returns this girl could not be influenced to leave here, made to believe that the boy has deserted her? You can't blame me for considering my daughter's feelings in this matter. Now suppose we could let drop a few things in Rosa's presence, without appearing to know that she overheard?
Sachel.
I don't care about her! I wanthimto come back.
Aaron.
Don't you see: after a whole week, after all her waiting and waiting, without a word from him and with her whole life trembling in the balance, then if she overhears certain things——! Of course if we try to persuade her he is gone, she'll suspect at once. But there are certain remarks that we can let drop, quite casually, you know, that will absolutely make her believe that he does not intend to come back; that he has deserted her.
Sachel.
But shewon'tbelieve it!
Aaron.
No, not if we try to convince her! But we won't try! You only make certain statements within her hearing; and if she says they are not true, just shrug your shoulders! What is in that girl's mind? Either that he has met harm, or that he is afraid to come back to her; that the poverty staring him in the face has been too much for him. Seven days is a long time when a woman is alone on the rack of doubt. Now, do you see what I mean?
Sachel.
But I want my son! I don't care whether he marries your daughter! I want my son!
Aaron.
[Tapping the letters.] Here are some letters. One for you and four for Rosa.
Sachel.
Where didyouget them? Is mine from Rafael? Yes? Ah, ah! Read it, quick!
Aaron.
[Reads.] "Father: Rosa will tell you where I am. I am your son; do not be harsh to Rosa. The Rabbi told me that he knew you would keep her over night; as I left her for a night, relying upon his good offices with you, so I feel I may leave her for a week. Good-bye, father. Rafael."
Sachel.
He's all right! He's all right! [Pauses, suddenly.] Look here, you miserable rascal, you've had this for a week. You've bribed that postman; it's a crime!
Aaron.
One for you and four for her. Will you listen toone of those he wrote to her? [Opens it.] Shall I open it?
Sachel.
You have, already.
Aaron.
Shall I read it?
Sachel.
[After hesitation.] Yes.
Aaron.
[Reads.] "My darling: If I take ship at once with Hanakoff for London, I have the opportunity of a life time; it will fix me in my career as I had never dreamed of. My mind tells my heart that I must go; but I am as joyful as I am sorrowful; for in a week, dear, I take you away from the stifling air you breathe to-night—out of the Ghetto, into the freedom which is the right of our love. Good night, my angel! Your Rafael."
Sachel.
He'll have money now. He'll never look at me again. She's got him! She's got him! O, I would to my Maker I were dead!
Aaron.
No, no! She hasn't got him! She shan't have him! Don't you see, this clears the way for the very thing I proposed to you.
Sachel.
What? What? It might succeed, with the girl in the state she is. But if it does, what will Rafael say, to-morrow?
Aaron.
Eh? Why, if he finds her gone and she left no word, let him draw his own conclusions; that she was afraid to stand by him; afraid to share his poverty. You say "to-morrow"? He may be back to-night! It's your one chance. If it succeeds, the girl goes, with two hundred guilders in her pocket; Rafael stays home—in due time marries Rebecca—becomes a successful Jew. If it fails—then this Christian robs you of him anyway! [Sachelponders; then suddenly touches him; they listen;Aaronwhispers.] Only casually; not an effort to convince her! She can't help believing it, then!
Sachel.
Sh—!
EnterRosa,by the bridge; she drops her hands, hopelessly, and stays near the bridge, turned away from them.
Aaron.
[Without looking about, whispers.] Was that her step? [Sachelnods; a pause;Aaronbegins in a moderate tone.] Yes; but a man who gives his word to one girl and then deserts her, would desert another girl. Shall I let my daughter risk that? No!
Sachel.
But I tell you it is not a parallel case! A marriage solemnised in a synagogue is one thing; but a marriage such as this—which we all know is not a marriage, either inside or outside the Ghetto—I tell you it's totally different!
Aaron.
Didn't he commit himself morally? Very well! Then he goes and finds that he has been tricked by a venial under-magistrate, for the sake of thirty guilders; and he finds that it was no marriage at all! The girl is reduced merely to the position of his mistress——
Sachel.
Well, doesn't that dispose ofher? Doesn't that rid him of responsibility?
Aaron.
Yes; but it is a high moral consideration that occupies me. The boy found that he could rid himself of his burden; the discovery came when he had been looking about for a week, and finding nothing but poverty, privation and despair on every side; no one would lend him money; none of his former friends would speak to him; there was only the choice between an absolutely hopeless struggle and running away. He ran! And I say a young man who has thus been tried and found wanting is no man to be my daughter's husband!
Sachel.
O! Because Rafael has had one mistress is he not good enough to be your daughter's husband?
Rosa.
What do you mean! What do you mean, Sachel! [The two men rise, affecting surprise.] It is a lie! It is a cruel lie!
Aaron.
Eh? Doesn't thegirlknow about it?
Rosa.
What do you mean by saying that he ran away from me? How do you know that he ran away from me? Where is he! Tell me where he is! Quick, you shall!
Aaron.
No one will know where he is until he has spent the money he sent for. And that ought to keep him a year, even in England.
Rosa.
England—you say he has gone to England? You tell me he has deserted me? After what he said before the synagogue? I say it's a lie—a preposterous lie! It isn't true that I am only his mistress—it's a lie!
Aaron.
I'll tell you whatistrue; after this escapade with you he'll have to prove himself a man before he marries my daughter.
Rosa.
He can't marry your daughter! He's mine! O, God, what does this mean? Can't you find him? Can't you let me see him? He would have written to me—I know he would! Sachel, let me go to him. Sachel, tell me where he is!
Aaron.
What could Sachel do, even if he could reach the boy? After seven days, at the very moment Sachel has been persuaded to accept all this—to treat you as his daughter—here slinks Rafael along the canal and up through the warehouse and whispers that he has given you up! Then he wheedles his father out of more money than I would give ten sons, and then boards a ship for England! [ToSachel.] Do you think I'll see my daughter marry such a man? If he wants to return next year on the hope of marrying Rebecca, you tell him to remain in England!
Rosa.
It's a lie! He couldn't desert me. He's a man of soul—of honour! It isn't true. My God, it can't be true!
Aaron.
You'd better find a place to sleep, and then compose yourself to make the best of it. I have a friend in the country who will receive you. With the money that Rafael has persuaded his father to give you, begin life over again. Come!
[Touches her.
Rosa.
No, I will not come! It is a lie. You try toconvince me because you know I will kill myself—because you——
Aaron.
Has any one tried to convince you? Sachel is the only one to gain by your going. Has he tried to convince you?
Rosa.
I know—I know—O God! Sachel, Sachel, as you fear your God, swear to me that he has deserted me! Swear to me that he wants to marry Rebecca!
Sachel.
I—I——
Aaron.
ShallItake an oath, on the Law of Moses, that is fastened to the lintel there?
Rosa.
I will not believeyouon any oath! I will only believe Sachel—Sachel, who could not deceive me—[turns toSachel]—because you know that if you make me go away and kill myself Rafael will hate you, for ever and ever! Sachel, Sachel, can't we get him back? I'll do anything—anything. I'll become a Jewess if you'll get him back! Sachel, Sachel!
[Cries hysterically.
Aaron.
The poor girl wants your oath. That's a simple matter. [ToSachel.] There is no reason why I should stay here to witness this. Good-night!
[Exit by the bridge.
Sachel.
Such as you to kill yourself—h'm! Now take your money and be off! I'm going to lock my door.
Rosa.
Youhaven't said the marriage was false!Youhaven't said he went away!Youhaven't said he wants to many her—you dare not! It can't be true! Itcan'tbe true!
Sachel.
Dare not—dare not. What do you mean? You thankless hussy! You wreck my home, you rob me of my son, and then when he has gone and I offer you money to leave me in peace you dare to say I lie!
Rosa.
No, I did not sayyoulied, becauseyouhave not said that he is deserting me! You will not! You dare not! He loves me; he is coming back! I will stay until he comes!
Sachel.
He wants to be rid of you. He has gone to England. He wants Aaron to——
Rosa.
Sachel, Sachel, think what you are saying! Tell me he is dead—tell me anything but that he's left me! O, could your son dishonour me? Think what you are saying! No, no—not unless you swear it in the sight of God! Sachel, Sachel—[as he puts hand on the lintel]—don't swear to it—[on her knees]—don't swear to it!
Sachel.
[With a burst of rage.] God!—Hear me then. You have been nothing but Rafael's mistress! Rafael has deserted you! Rafael wants to marry Rebecca! Rafael has sailed from Amsterdam! By the sacred Law of Moses, by all that is holy in the sight of God, I swear it! I swear it! Now go! Take your money and go!
[She goes towards the canal.
Rosa.
And so—and so—Dear God—dear God!
Sachel.
Where are you? Here, take it—take it! Where are you going?
Rosa.
[At the canal.] Dear God—dear God—No more—no more!
Sachel.
Come away!
Rosa.
Rafael!
[She jumps into the canal.
Sachel.
Stop! O—O God! It isn't true! Rosa! Rosa! [At the wall.] A stick! A stick! I cannot find one! Where are you? For God's sake, answer! Don't you hear? O God! O God! [Turns to the house, where music is being played.] Daniel! Samson! Open the door! [The music drowns his voice.] Help! help! [He rushes back.] Rosa! Reach out your hand! Where are you—where are you? Answer me—[the music ceases abruptly]—answer. [A silence. He slinks away from the wall. A pause.] What will Rafael do? What will God do?
[He hears the footsteps ofRafael.
EnterRafael,joyously.
Rafael.
Hello, father, father! I'm home again! Why haven't I heard from you? I—what's the matter?
Sachel.
[Trembling.] I—I—don't mind me! I—I—I thought you wouldn't come back. We didn't get your letters until to-day. But you've come—you've come! Rafael, for God's sake, don't leave me! For God's sake—I'm sick, I'm blind, I've only a little while left! Stay with me. Don't leave me alone—you mustn't leave me alone!
Rafael.
You are not well. Have you been in the heat? Father, why do you tremble so?
Sachel.
I'm not trembling, my boy. I—I—my boy, my boy, ask me anything and I will give it to you! I can't live without my son! If you speak a harsh word to me I shall drop dead, Rafael.
Rafael.
Father, father, be calm; Heaven knows I don't want to be harsh to you; there's a clean page to begin on if you like. We'll leave this place; come and live with Rosa and me. She has never spoken a harsh word to you, has she? Don't you see now that shehas the gentleness of an angel? Wait till our people know her!
Sachel.
Yes, yes, I know; my God, I know—I—I—[Rafaelmakes as if to go in]. Rafael, for God's sake, don't leave me!
Rafael.
Where is she, father? She was afraid to stay here; but I told her she was my wife, and that you loved your son, and that ought to be enough to reassure her. I had to go with Hanakoff. I have made a success, do you hear? Don't worry, don't tremble. I must find Rosa. Where is she? Rosa! I've something to tell you!
Sachel.
No, no; don't speak so loud!
Rafael.
Yes, but she does not hear me! Isn't she in the house? Rosa! What have you said to her? Where is she? She is not here. Where is she?
Sachel.
Don't ask me, don't ask me!
Rafael.
Where is she?
Sachel.
I couldn't stop her!
Rafael.
From what? Where is she?
Sachel.
Don't know, don't know! She went away!
Rafael.
Where—why?
Sachel.
You shall not blame me! It was not my doing. Aaron—Aaron—it was he who bribed the postman! Before God it was not I!
Rafael.
Bribed the postman? She did not hear from me? Where is my wife?
Sachel.
No, no, Rafael, my boy; my dearest boy—she's gone, she took money, she deserted you!
Rafael.
You are lying!
[People collect, looking over the canal wall.
Sachel.
She said—she said she hated our race—she hated you—she hated all of us; she was going away, out of the Ghetto, away, off there, there—[He points away from the canal. The excitement at the canal wall increases.Rafaelstarts as if towards the wall.] Not there, not there, Rafael, my boy, my boy!
Rafael.
What's the matter down there? [Two men bringRosaup the steps; the crowd obscures her fromRafael.] Who is that? My God! Is it a woman?
A Man.
Yes.
Rafael.
[Pushes through the crowd.] Rosa, Rosa—Rosa! Oh! oh! oh!
Sachel.
Oh, my boy!—oh, my boy! Rafael! Rafael! I couldn't stop her!
Rafael.
[Turning on his father.] Ugh! Off from me—off! Oh, oh, damnable, damnable monster! Take him away!
An Old Man.
He's your father! Shame! shame!
[Hisses from crowd.
Rafael.
[ToSachel.] Keep your cursed talons off! Murderer! Murderer! You made her drown herself!
A Second Man.
Leave him alone! Shame! This is the man who blasphemes God!
A Third Man.
He profaned the synagogue—he curses his father!
[Rafaelmeanwhile looks upon the body ofRosa.
The Second Man.
Shall he do all this—this—in our teeth? [Hisses from the crowd.] Hide your face! Hide your face!
[Advances onRafael.
Rafael.
Stand away from her! [Throws him down, turns to his father.] O God, if I had not concealed your knavery from her, your holiest oath would not have moved her! And now must you live on, while she lies thus?
Sachel.
[To the crowd.] She poisoned my son; she took away his religion—she killed my son's love for his father! She deserves it—she deserves it!
Rafael.
Rosa, my Rosa, you shall not die! Life, life, freedom—the blue sweet sky, we two together singing in the sun—not the dead soul sighing through the trees—not the whisper of night—the sorrowful shade that passes in the mist! No, no, you must feel my breath upon your cheek, you must feel my arms, you must live, live! [Rosastirs.] Live! She breathes—she breathes! Air—distance—distance, I say! Rosa, it is I, Rafael! You are safe! Not all the fiends in God's grey world shall thrust an arm between us. Rosa! Rosa!
Rosa.
[Raising her head a little.] Rafael, forgive me——
Sachel.
Rafael—Rafael—she means me. Forgiveme—for God's sake—[on his knees toRafael,who turns his back]—Rafael!
Second Man.
Shame! shame! He hates his father!
The Crowd.
Shame! shame! Punish him!
[The crowd closes in onRafael.
Rosa.
[In fear.] Rafael!
Rafael.
Are you no better than a mob of Christians? Stand back! [Pushes the crowd back violently.] Rosa, Rosa—away—out of the Ghetto—into the air! Rosa!
[The crowd starts to close in again; he takesRosain his arms and rushes across the bridge. The crowd follows, walking rapidly.Sachelis left solitary.
Sachel.
Rafael! Raf——
[He falls.
EnterA Watchman.
Watchman.
Eleven o'clock, and all's—[Stops and looks atSachel,who stirs and sobs.] Eleven o'clock!
[ExitWatchman,thoughtfully.
Eleven o'clock!
THE END.
Printed byBallantyne, Hanson & Co.
London & Edinburgh