Page:Poet Lore, volume 27, 1916.djvu/64

 ''nearby chair. With a smile adds.'') Please sit. Make yourself at home!

Vlasák (With one arm about her waist, reaches with other for lamp).—Look, Helen, my love

Helen (Lightly slips out of his embrace).—Pst! (Seats herself again.) Who knows when we shall again meet this way? Perhaps, never again!

Vlasák (Reproachfully).—Helen!

Helen.—Victor, let’s speak frankly! We have absolutely nothing to reproach each other with; for we made no promises to each other. You were not drawn to me through pure love—

( moves and tries to speak.)

Helen (Undisturbedly).—I say that you didn’t draw me to yourself through love, through passion. (She laughs bitterly.) And I surrendered not otherwise! And I wanted you just as I want a new maid or a trip to Misdroy in the summer time. Yes!—And you—hush, Viki, hush! you desired me in the same wanton fashion! Was it your first affair?

( is silent.)

Helen (Tosses her head).—And it wasn’t your last, either! Even though you’ll marry now. No, don’t play a part, Victor! If you didn’t believe, what you’d like so well to deny now, I wouldn’t be in your apartments now when Prague is talking about your engagement to Clara Daneš. And I tell you myself, “Marry,” because I know that I’ll not be your wife and may not be. And because I know that I’ll have you even afterwards—or as long as I don’t weary you or—you me!

Vlasák.—Helen, love of mine, you are unkind!

Helen (Carelessly).—Don’t pretend! I didn’t come to enact a farce, with tear-dimmed eyes and a category of your sins. And I also know it’s neither the first nor the last time I’ll come. If, however, I’d say to you now, “I’ll marry Dušek—” (She tosses her head.) Or for that matter—not particularly Dušek, any other man—even that stupid Fořt. If I said that, do you know what you must do Victor? You must open the door, escort me forth—and never breathe a word! Just as I have said to you, “Go, marry Clara, if you wish!” We have belonged to each other only for a while and we have paid for each other with our passion, as others pay with money!

( buries his head in his hands.)

Helen.—Our particular system of society is a market place with only a few mediums of barter. And many fine ladies are