[_Goes to the door and opens it_.] She's coming now--down the stairs.

SCHWARTZE.

So! [_Pulls himself together with an effort_.]

MARIE.

[_Clasping her hands_.] Don't hurt her! [_Pauses with the door open_.

Magda _is seen descending the stairs. She enters in travelling-dress, hat in hand, very pale, but calm_.]

MAGDA.

I heard you call, father.

SCHWARTZE.

I have something to say to you.

MAGDA.

And I to you.

SCHWARTZE.

Go in--into my room.

MAGDA.

Yes, father. [_She goes to the door, left_. Schwartze _follows her_.

Marie, _who has drawn back frightened to the dining-room door, makes an unseen gesture of entreaty_.]

ACT IV.

Scene: _the same_.

[Mrs. Schwartze _and_ Marie _discovered_. Mrs. Schwartze, _in hat and cloak, is knocking on the door at the left_.]

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

Leopold! Oh, Heaven, I dare not go in.

MARIE.

No, no, don't! Oh, if you'd only seen his face!

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

And they've been in there half an hour, you say?

MARIE.

Longer, longer!

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

Now she's speaking! [_Listening, frightened_.] He's threatening her.

Marie, Marie! Run into the garden. The pastor's there, in the arbor.

Tell him everything,--about Mr. von Keller's being here,--and ask him to come in quickly.

MARIE.

Yes, mamma. [_Hurries to the hall-door_.]

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

Wait a minute, Marie. Has Theresa heard anything? If it should get about--

MARIE.

I've already sent her away, mamma.

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

That's right, that's right. [_Exit_ Marie. Mrs. Schwartze _knocks again_.] Leopold! listen to me, Leopold! [_Retreating_.] Oh, Heaven!

he's coming! [_Enter_ Schwartze, _bent and tottering_.]

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

How do you feel, Leopold?

SCHWARTZE.

[_Sinking into a chair_.] Yes, yes,--just like the roses. The knife conies, and cuts the stem, and the wound can never be healed. What am I saying? What?

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

He's out of his mind.

SCHWARTZE.

No, no, I'm not out of my mind. I know quite well-- [Magda _appears at the door, left_.]

MRS. SCHWARTZE.