_Scene:_ A bedroom in the Metropolitan Hotel, Berlin.
[Lassalle in shirt-sleeves, putting on his collar before the
mirror. Jacques standing by, brushing his coat.]
LASSALLE. [_Wrestling with unruly collar-button_] Yes; that is the coat.
A long, plain, priestly coat. [_Gaily, half to himself and half to
valet_] You see, I am going on a delicate errand, and I must not
fail----
JACQUES. They say you never fail in anything.
LASSALLE. Which is not saying that I might not fail in the future.
JACQUES. Impossible.
LASSALLE. Now, today I am going to call on a man who hates me--who
totally misunderstands me--and my task is to convince him, without
mentioning the subject, that I am a gentleman. In fact--[_A knock at the
door_] In fact--answer that, please, Jacques--to convince him that a man
may be earnest and honest in his efforts for human betterment, and
that----
JACQUES. [_To porter at door_] The master, Herr Lassalle, is dressing. I
will give him her card.
PORTER. She says she knows him, and demands admittance. She will give
neither her name nor her card.
JACQUES. Herr Lassalle can not receive her here--patience--I will tell
him, and he will see her in half an hour in the parlor!
_Enter HELENE_
[Pauses breathlessly on the threshold, then pushes past the porter.
The valet confronts her with arms outstretched to stay her
entering.]
HELENE. Ferdinand--I--I am here!
[Lassalle turns and stares, surprised, overcome, joyous--seizes the
valet by the shoulder and pushes him out of the door, bowling over
the porter who blocks the entrance. Lassalle and Helene face each
other. He is about to take her in his arms; she backs away.]
HELENE. Not yet, dear, not yet!
[She sinks into a chair in great confusion, struggling for breath.]
LASSALLE. [_Leaning over her tenderly_] Tell me what has happened!
HELENE. The worst.