Marie.

The fires have all gone out, I suppose?

George.

Ah, yes; a small pyre of wood--it is soon burned down!

Marie.

And then it's as dark as ever!!! But, George, how beautifully you spoke this evening! I have never heard anything like it before.

George.

You were the only one who understood me.

Marie.

No wonder! It was as though I spoke the words myself--that is, I don't mean to say----

George.

What, dear?

Marie.

Oh, you know!

George.

But I don't know!

Marie.

[_After a pause_.] George, I have something to confess to you. In fact, that is why I came down here so soon. You shall know it, you alone. I have this day given my hand----

George.

[_With a start_.] _Marie!!!!_

Marie.

[_Astonished_.] Well?

George.

To whom?

Marie.

Why, to the pastor! Who else could it be? There is no one else!

George.

[_Reproachfully_.] Why did you do that? Why did you?

Marie.

I have my whole life before me, and the fires [_pointing to fields and to heart_] will not burn forever----

George.

[_Bitterly_.] You should not have done it--you--it is a----

Marie.

Sh--not so loud!

George.

But you do not love him at all!!!!

Marie.

How do you know?

George.

[_Bitterly_,] How? Of course, how should I? I don't know! Pardon me!

Well, I congratulate you!

Marie.

[_Quietly_.] Thank you!

George.

But why am I the first one to be taken into your confidence? Why not uncle? We two have not been so intimate as----

Marie.

No, we two have not been very intimate--I only thought----

George.

So, then, we have both our burden; and we soon will have to part.

Therefore we can now safely speak of the past. My ma.n.u.script you read!

You even went so far as to perjure yourself on account of it. Oh, you don't mind a little thing like that! I wish I were the same! You know the subject of my verses, and we must now understand each other fully.

Now, tell me openly, why, why did you treat me so unkindly, to say nothing worse, in former days?