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--and _such_ a 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 Fraulein Margot desired--and what, in short, the circ.u.mstances demanded.

Frau v. Yburg.

Oh, I know! My G.o.d, 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?"--G.o.d 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 blackguard _must_.

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----

Ebeling.

And so she won't do it!

Frau v. Yburg.

What's come over you, Herr Ebeling? You're not listening!