Wittich.
I intend to put no obstacle in the way of your desire to legitimize
your relations.
Pierre.
Very kind of you--really--very thoughtful indeed.
Wittich.
Not because--not that I don't dare insist upon _my_ rights in this
affair, but because I want to guard _her_ from lifelong misery.
Pierre.
Really, you wouldn't believe how often we have discussed this
question--would he, Julia, dear?
Julia.
But I am never going to grant your wish, Pierre, dear. You shall keep
your liberty--you shall be free! Even as I ask nothing better than to
follow my own inclinations. If I am ruined because of them--well, it's
no one's concern but my own--no one's! (_Tosses her head._)
Wittich.
May I inquire what those inclinations are?
Julia.
It's hard to say--off-hand.--You must feel it--you must-- Well, I want
to be free!--I want to hold my fate in my own hands!--I want-- Oh, why
talk about it? What is one poor, human life?--especially a life like
mine!--I am branded--doomed to the gutter!--One need use no ceremony
with me now!
Wittich.
Really! Well--h'm--if I had known that you felt that way about it--I
should have made you--a different proposition--Julia, dear.
Julia.
Tell me! Please!
Pierre.
Yes--tell us--please!
Wittich.
I suppose I may assume that the people at the castle know nothing of
this little adventure of the young Count's?
Pierre.
You may rest assured, my dear sir, that I know what is due a woman's
honour.
Wittich.
Ah--really!--Well, I'm sure no one saw me coming here. So then, there
need be no scandal.
Pierre.
That would certainly be most agreeable to all parties concerned.
Wittich.
But--how did the lady propose to leave here without being seen?
Pierre.
Pray, my dear sir, let that be my concern.
Wittich.
That concern, however, I shall share with you--my dear sir. And it
seems to me that the best plan would be for the lady to put on a decent
dress, walk through the grounds with me, and pay a visit to the
Countess at the castle.
Pierre.
What!--my mother--? What's the use of that?
Wittich.
It will look as if she'd returned--and we'd--somehow--met here.
Pierre.
Do you think any one is going to believe that?
Wittich (_proudly_).
What else should they believe?
Julia (_frightened anew_).
Oh, but I don't want to! I don't want to do that! Pierre! I want to
stay with you! I am under your protection, Pierre!
Pierre.
See here, my dear sir, let us suppose that your plan is
successful--what then?
Julia.
Yes--yes--afterward--what then?
Wittich.
Then?--Then-- (_Looks from one to the other, uncertainly, almost
imploringly, and breaks down again._)
Pierre.
Well--won't you go on with your proposition?
Wittich.
Yes, I suppose that when a man has acted as I have acted here, he must
have lost--his sense of pride--and honour--and all the rest of it--long
ago.--Then nothing is left him but--his duty.--And the thing that seems
to me my--duty--I am going to do.--Let the Count sneer at me--I no
longer----
Pierre.
Oh, please--I say!
Wittich.
Well, then, let me tell you something, Julia. After I had read the
letter from Brussels, I had two rooms prepared for you--in the left
wing--quite apart; so that some day, in case--you ever--came back-- Oh,
well--it doesn't matter now. But the rooms--are--still there--and if
you would like to come home with me now--straight off--well, you might
be spared--some annoyance.
Pierre.
H'm--so you're willing--? (_Shrugs his shoulders and laughs._) I
suppose that sort of thing is all a matter of taste--but I can
understand----
Wittich.