I'm very happy to meet you both--I hadn't hoped to see Fraulein Yburg here. But our friend believes in military prompt.i.tude. 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 to_ Margot.) Fraulein 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 a.s.surance, but a little timidly, none the less._) Au revoir, Herr Ebeling.

Ebeling.

Au revoir, Fraulein Margot. (_Accompanies her to the door, and calls._) Bonath, see to it that Fraulein Yburg finds her way out. She is coming back later.

_Voice of_ Bonath.

Very well, Herr Ebeling.

(Ebeling _bows to_ Margot, _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 grat.i.tude--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.