Ebeling (_firmly, quietly_).

Very well, then she _shall_ not.

Frau v. Yburg.

For G.o.d's sake! You, too! You, too, want----

Ebeling.

My dear friend, I have done all that lay in my power, often against my own convictions, I can a.s.sure you. She knows what she is doing. She will not. Very well. I'm not here to bait her to her ruin. I am very sorry, but this time I must refuse my a.s.sistance.

Frau v. Yburg.

But what will happen? Must all our work count for nothing--your work, my work? For I have worked over her with all my powers, I need not hesitate to say it, worked to place her again on those spiritual heights where a young girl of family by right belongs. I have led her back to Religion, for whoever has anything to expiate must possess Religion. I have read with her only the most carefully selected books, books that could never, never endanger a young girl's imagination. And I have taken special care to see to it that when she was in the company of young people, she should, if possible, be stricter and even more reserved than the most timid of her friends. For her need of such behaviour was double theirs, wasn't it? And you yourself will admit that my efforts have been successful. No one could deny it and look into those clear, steadfast eyes of hers. (Ebeling _nods a.s.sent._) She has become all soul--all----

Ebeling (_doubtingly, sadly_).

Ah!

Frau v. Yburg.

Yes, indeed, Herr Ebeling. No clandestine, no unseemly wish finds its way into her heart. I'll vouch for that. She glides through life like a silent spirit, cleansed and purified.

Ebeling.

And therefore we are to throw her into the jaws of that beast.

Frau v. Yburg.

Is there any other way? Do you know of any?

Ebeling (_tormented_).

H'm! She certainly has suitors enough!

Frau v. Yburg.

She'll reject them all--as she has heretofore. She simply says, "I shall not begin my new life with a lie. I think too much of myself for that. And to confess, to tell the man, and have him turn his back on me, or out of pure pity raise me to his own level--I think _entirely_ too much of myself for that."

Ebeling.

I believe one can readily appreciate her feelings.

Frau v. Yburg.

But what will become of her? Is she to wither and wear away--this heavenly young creature? (Ebeling _walks about, growing more and more excited. A pause._) Herr Ebeling, speak! Advise me!

Ebeling (_firmly_).

I know of only one solution: she must choose some one who knows it.

Frau v. Yburg.

Who could that be--except----?

Ebeling (_breathing heavily_).

Except that man, there is only one other.

Frau v. Yburg.

(_Stares at him uncomprehendingly with her hands clasped, then stammering._) Oh! oh, G.o.d! What a joy that would be!

Ebeling.

What more can I say? Such things come and grow great in a man, one knows not how. She bore _her_ sorrow, _her_ shame, I mine. At first, perhaps, it was no more than a casual fancy--no, an interest, for my inclinations were always involved--but to-day it has become a pa.s.sion, a pa.s.sion that, lonely man as I am, gnaws me to the very core of my being.

Frau v. Yburg.

But how have you managed through it all to keep so quiet, so deliberate, so----?

Ebeling.

One learns, little by little, to be master of oneself. And five minutes ago there was absolutely no hope, (_bursting out_) but if she no longer wants him--why shouldn't I--oh! (_Hides his face in his hand, trembling with emotion._)

Frau v. Yburg.

Wait! I don't see, after you've led him on to this point, how you'll ever justify all this to Baron von Kanoldt.

Ebeling.

I don't know! Until now, I've led a tolerably respectable life. For, in the disgrace that _she_ (_pointing to the picture of his wife_) brought upon me, I played no part.

Frau v. Yburg.

Oh, yes, everyone in society knows that.

Ebeling.

But I haven't once asked myself whether what I am now going to do--or should like to do--conforms to the prevailing standards of propriety.

One ought to think it over, to let some time elapse--in short, I don't know! All I can say is that if she doesn't want him, if she won't take that--(_checking himself_)--him, well, then, the path is open to any one--to me as well as to another.

Frau v. Yburg (_hesitating_).

I feel that I ought to warn you of just one thing more. She has never seemed to consider you as anything more than a fatherly sort of friend.

Ebeling.