HEFFTERDINGT.

She is not above your love.

MARIE.

Magda is here! Magda herself is here! [_Throws her arms about her mother's neck, weeping_.]

FRANZISKA.

Won't any one bring me a gla.s.s of water? I am so upset!

HEFFTERDINGT.

Are you quite resolved? [Schwartze _remains motionless_.] Will you let her go on her way without--

SCHWARTZE.

That would be best.

HEFFTERDINGT.

How will it be with you if in your death-hour a longing for your lost child comes upon you, and all you can say to yourself is, "She stood before my door and I would not open it"?

SCHWARTZE.

[_Shaken and half convinced_.] What would you have me do? Must I abase myself before my runaway child?

HEFFTERDINGT.

No, you shall not do that. I--I--will go to her.

SCHWARTZE.

You? Pastor--you?

HEFFTERDINGT.

This afternoon I waited before her hotel to see if Miss Franziska had not been mistaken. At a quarter to four she came out of the house and got into her carriage.

MARIE.

You saw her?

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

How did she look? What did she have on?

HEFFTERDINGT.

The performance began at four, and must be almost over now. I will wait for her again at the hotel, and will tell her that she will find your arms open to her. May I?

MARIE.

Yes, yes, papa, won't you let him?

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

Just think with whom your daughter--

SCHWARTZE.

Will you swear to me that no weak and personal motives are mixed with your intention,--that you do what you do in the name of our Lord and Saviour?

HEFFTERDINGT.

I swear it!

SCHWARTZE.

Then G.o.d's will be done. [Marie _gives a cry of joy_. Heffterdingt _presses_ Schwartze's _hand_.]

SCHWARTZE.

[_Holding his hand, speaking softly_.] The way will be hard for you, I know. Your lost youth--your pride--

HEFFTERDINGT.

Dear Colonel, I begin to think that pride is a very poor sort of thing.

It really profits us little to have it always in our mouths. I am giving back a daughter to an old father. I am giving back a home to an erring soul. That, I think, is enough. [_Exit_. Marie _throws herself on her father's breast, laughing and crying_.]

ACT II.

Scene _same as_ Act I. _It is evening; only a slight glow of sunset still shines through the windows_.

[Marie _and_ Theresa _discovered_.]

THERESA.

[_Bringing in a lighted lamp_.] Miss Marie! Miss Marie!--What is she staring at all the time? Miss Marie!

MARIE [_starting_.]

[_From the window_.] What do you want?

THERESA.