The Lady.
Why should it? I feel certain that if he could see us at this moment,
he himself would join our hands together.
v. Wolters.
Countess, if you ever need a man who would let himself be torn to
pieces for you----
The Lady.
No, not that. I only want you to take this great weight from my soul.
v. Wolters.
Ah, Countess, I am a man of my word.
The Lady.
And that's what you call being torn to pieces for me?
v. Wolters (_trembling_).
Whether I can answer for this to him and to my own conscience--whether
I can ever again think of him--without shame--will depend upon what we
shall find in there.
The Lady.
But you will open it? (_A pause._) Herr von Wolters, you'll not let me
die of fear and distraction?
v. Wolters.
I'll open it.
The Lady (_laying her hand on his arm_).