Well, then--don't kneel there--like that--Julia, dear!
I shall lie here until he raises me. Raise me! Take me in your arms! Oh, George----
Yes, that's what they always say. (_Sinks into reverie again._)
Hush! Stand up! (_She does so._) Well--h'm--I suppose I may assume, Herr Wittich, that you had some purpose in seeking this interview?
Yes--yes. (_Looking about him._) I can well imagine that my wife--er--that the lady must find it very pleasant here.
Oh, yes--we needn't hesitate to say that, need we, Julia, dear?
At least--she seems to have plenty of roses here.
May I ask whether the lady has made any arrangements for the future?
I was thinking of making my home in Paris, wasn't I, Pierre?
Yes. You see, Julia wants to live a life suited to her tastes and inclinations--a life such as she cannot have even here--a life consecrated to Beauty and Art.
They say that an existence of that sort comes high. Has my wife--er--has the lady made any provision for her expenses?
From the moment that I become of age I shall be in a position to--h'm--h'm----
Well, I consider it my duty--and mine alone--to protect the woman whom--until recently--I called my wife. And to save her from ruin, I am willing to make any sacrifice whatsoever.
I intend to put no obstacle in the way of your desire to legitimize your relations.
Very kind of you--really--very thoughtful indeed.
Not because--not that I don't dare insist upon _my_ rights in this affair, but because I want to guard _her_ from lifelong misery.
Really, you wouldn't believe how often we have discussed this question--would he, Julia, dear?
But I am never going to grant your wish, Pierre, dear. You shall keep your liberty--you shall be free! Even as I ask nothing better than to follow my own inclinations. If I am ruined because of them--well, it's no one's concern but my own--no one's! (_Tosses her head._)
May I inquire what those inclinations are?
It's hard to say--off-hand.--You must feel it--you must-- Well, I want to be free!--I want to hold my fate in my own hands!--I want-- Oh, why talk about it? What is one poor, human life?--especially a life like mine!--I am branded--doomed to the gutter!--One need use no ceremony with me now!
Really! Well--h'm--if I had known that you felt that way about it--I should have made you--a different proposition--Julia, dear.