Page:Poet Lore, volume 27, 1916.djvu/66

 There’s something else, Victor! (Seizes his hand.) I thank you for never compromising me by even a word or look, during the whole time. (Hastily.) No, no, don’t be modest! It’s beyond most men. Our future life is altogether too long and our taste too accustomed to the pleasures of our present surroundings to lightly throw away our reputations even be they undeservedly good. It is our good fortune, Victor! If we had not played our comedy so well, do you know what would have happened?

Vlasák (Softly).—Yes, I know, Helen!

Helen.—You would have had to be more than my lover. Our love would not end here (pointing towards the sleeping room.) but at the altar! (With a bewitching gesture of warning.) Remember that, Victor!

( silently embraces her.)

Helen (Bursts out laughing suddenly).—I’ve given you a fine sermon, haven’t I? (Taking his chin into her hand.) Viki, Viki, do you recognize me? I tell you, I also at times—(Becoming grave) think seriously! (Puts her hand on her forehead.) Oh, Lord, Lord!

Vlasák (Laughing).—I never in my life would have thought that I’d hear so much truth. And last of all from my Helen! And, at that, just in this place!

Helen (In her ordinary tone).—Am I not good for coming? If only you knew, Victor, what a time I had getting here today! I drove with Aunt to the concert at the Rudolfinum, I purposely accompanied her right to the concert—and then came here over the chain bridge.

Vlasák (Frightened).—You came on foot, Helen? How can you be so imprudent?

Helen.—How was I to get a carriage near the Rudolfinum and avoid being observed? I couldn’t, of course, take Aunt’s carriage over here. And the streets of Small Side are usually so desolate. I was so thickly veiled that even an acquaintance wouldn’t recognize me.

Vlasák.—You think so?

Helen.—And for that matter, no acquaintances of mine pass this way. On the chain bridge I met that artist—you know, that