Well, dear, good-bye. If Richard turns up, be sure you make him wait. I shall be back in an hour. (Kellinghausen _and_ Brachtmann _go out_.)

Beata.

(_Closing her eyes, with a miserable smile_.) In an hour!

_Enter_ Ellen.

Ellen (_in the doorway_).

Mother!

Beata.

Come in, dear child.

Ellen (_kneeling down beside her_).

Mother, mother dear, what has happened? What is it? Papa is so excited and talks to himself so strangely--and you--oh, mother!

Beata (_smiling_).

Well what have I done?

Ellen.

If I tell you, you won't--won't stay away? You'll come and lean over my bed every night--just as you've always done?

Beata (_surprised_).

Then you're awake--when I come?

Ellen.

Always, always. I never go to sleep till I've heard you.

Beata.

Dearest! And yet you never stirred!

Ellen.

Oh, I prided myself on that! But last night it was so hard to keep quiet. I could feel your tears on my face--oh, how you were crying! And I did so want to cry with you. But I held my breath and lay as still as I could.--Mother, what has happened? Won't you tell me? I'm not a child any longer.

Beata.

Listen, dear. I want to ask you a question. Is there any one in the world--besides your father and me--that you're very fond of?

Ellen (_softly_).

You know, mother. I don't have to tell you things----

Beata.

Some one you're so fond of that you could live for him--or even die for him?

Ellen.

There's nothing in the world I wouldn't do for him!

Beata.

(_Softly stroking her hair and cheeks_.) H'm----

_Enter_ Conrad.

Conrad (_announcing_).

Dr. Kahlenberg.

Beata (_to Ellen_).

Go, dear. That is all I wanted to know.

Ellen.

Mother! (_Goes out_.)

_Enter_ Dr. Kahlenberg. Conrad _goes out_.

Dr. Kahlenberg.

You sent for me, Countess? Nothing wrong, I hope?

Beata.

Why, this is your hour for consultations, isn't it?

Dr. Kahlenberg.

Oh, there was no one there but two or three whining women. The kind that can be cured by the atmosphere of a fashionable doctor's waiting-room; so I'm letting them wait.

Beata.

(_Listening, as though to make sure that they are alone_.) I sha'n't keep you long. Doctor you know how often I have said to you: "My dear friend, I've got to live--I've simply got to live; show me how--" and how you've always answered: "The only way is to avoid excitement."

Well--I've borne that in mind--I've schooled myself to look at life through a tombstone, as it were--my own tombstone, doctor! I've done that. But now--now there are storms ahead, perhaps disasters. If they come, my judgment and energy are equal to them--but my valves are not.

I found that out last night--it was only those drops of yours that saved me. But I can't live on those drops--you've warned me not to take them too often. And I don't want to die of this. Doctor, you must help me!

Dr. Kahlenberg.