Page:Poet Lore, volume 27, 1916.djvu/70

 Lindner. And you should have struck me in the face as a liar when I said that I believed Miss Lindner had some regard for me!

( proudly measures .)

Dušek (Continuing).—But you, you —you fairly gave me your blessing when I confessed to you. (Reaches for photograph on the writing desk.) This photograph as well as your impatience might have aroused my suspicion—but I, fool, believed, believed,—even at leaving, I thanked you! In the very moment, Miss Lindner—(Turning to ) when you were already in the next room! And I went down the stairs from here—happy, rejoiced

Vlasák (Bursts out).—Don’t lie, you sneak!

Dušek (Undisturbed).—And how absolutely I believed in you, Miss Lindner! When on the corner here, I met a man who saw you entering here

Helen (Haughtily).—You ought to be ashamed to add lies!

Dušek (Bursting out).—Do you know who it was? A man in return for whose friendship I have given only kicks!

Helen (Involuntarily).—Hlaváček!

Dušek (Laughing wildly).—Yes, Hlaváček! And he had to drive me in here, yes, fairly drag me by force clear up to the door, although everything convicted you! Even the moment when I was departing, the light in the windows, and the eternity during which I rang the bell so furiously! (Clasps his hands.) God! God! God!

Vlasák (Goes to the door and commandingly indicates it).—Mr. Dušek—!

Helen (More calmly).—Go, Mr. Dušek! (Dryly.) But know this before you leave—you haven’t the right to defame me. And if you think I have broken your heart—well, you have done the same before this to other women. And you had no right to do it! As far as morality goes, I stand as well as you. (Turns away.) Good-bye!

Dušek (Desperately).—Miss Helen! (Approaches her.)

Helen (Evading him).—Go, please!

Vlasák (At the door).—Don’t you hear?

( stands erect, shivers and then, brokenly, departs into the vestibule. Outside the door closes after him. A long pause.)

Helen (Shivers and sinks in a heap on the divan pressing her head into her hands).—Oh! Oh! Oh!

Vlasák (Stands a while undecidedly in the middle of the room.