[Trying to take a lighter tone.] Yes, Irene.--I can a.s.sure you "our child" has become famous all the wide world over. I suppose you have read about it.

IRENE.

[Nods.] And has made its father famous too.--That was your dream.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[More softly, with emotion.] It is to you I owe everything, everything, Irene--and I thank you.

IRENE.

[Lost in thought for a moment.] If I had then done what I had a right to do, Arnold--

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

Well? What then?

IRENE.

I should have killed that child.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

Killed it, you say?

IRENE.

[Whispering.] Killed it--before I went away from you. Crushed it--crushed it to dust.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Shakes his head reproachfully.] You would never have been able to, Irene. You had not the heart to do it.

IRENE.

No, in those days I had not that sort of heart.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

But since then? Afterwards?

IRENE.

Since then I have killed it innumerable times. By daylight and in the dark. Killed it in hatred--and in revenge--and in anguish.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Goes close up to the table and asks softly.] Irene--tell me now at last--after all these years--why did you go away from me? You disappeared so utterly--left not a trace behind--

IRENE.

[Shaking her head slowly.] Oh Arnold--why should I tell you that now--from the world beyond the grave.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

Was there some one else whom you had come to love?

IRENE.

There was one who had no longer any use for my love--any use for my life.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Changing the subject.] H'm--don't let us talk any more of the past--

IRENE.

No, no--by all means let us not talk of what is beyond the grave--what is now beyond the grave for me.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

Where have you been, Irene? All my inquiries were fruitless--you seemed to have vanished away.

IRENE.

I went into the darkness--when the child stood transfigured in the light.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.