[_In door_.] Did you hear anything, children? Any noise?
We heard screams and a scuffle. What was the matter?
Oh, nothing of any consequence. Don't mind it. An old vagabond of a woman, that's all. I have only to sign the papers now, then I'll be back. [_Exit_.]
Hush, not a word, not a word! She out there must go her way, and I must go mine!
You said it yourself. 'Tis madness! Yes, yes; 'tis madness! _All_--_all_! What we do--what we desire--all--all!
Or do you imagine for one moment we could be happy together? No, I know you too well. I know the certain result. You would never forgive yourself nor me, and in the end life would become a burden to me, if only because I was in your way. Yes, yes, that would be the end of it all----
_Marie_, I will be faithful to you forever, let come what may, be it good or bad; you know that!
If there was only the slightest possibility of a chance to escape from all this whirl--then we might be free, we might---- But no matter what we begin, we cannot shake off nor disregard our obligations to this house; never, as long as we live!
Therefore, what more can you desire? Everything on earth we possess, all that was beautiful, all the love, all--all, we gave to each other. There is nothing more to give, for either one of us. St. John's night is past, the fires are out, are dead----
Of you? That I can't tell. Perhaps you will be happy, perhaps not; that must all rest with yourself. And I? Oh, be content. I will take care of myself. As soon as possible I shall leave this house. Not to-day, as I would like--it might create suspicion----
Ah, the world is large. I shall go far, far away, where no one will ever find me. No, no, not even you, George.
Do not fear. I am the calamity child, the foundling. My hands are hard and callous--see, see! Just like my heart is, now. I will work and work, and toil, until I fall exhausted--then I will sleep and rest, until it is time for work again; and thus I will perhaps maintain a miserable existence.
You say you are a calamity child! Well, so am I. But our accounts do not harmonize. You are going out into the world and misery, and it was I who drove you to it. Even did I not love you as I do, that thought would follow me forever and embitter my entire life. But, be it so. We are both children of misery! Therefore let us grit our teeth, shake each other by the hand--and say farewell!