Page:Poet Lore, volume 31, 1920.djvu/553

Rh Lenka (Taken aback because has seated himself beside her).—I beg of you—what if—just consider—

Valenta.—Just consider yourself what you have done; that you have ruined my happiness. Whom shall you benefit by this? Shall you be happy? ( restrains , forcing him to wait and listen to the close.)

Lenka.—Why do you ask! How could I be happy! I was happy, you yourself know that; but now—O heavens!

Valenta.—And you will not be happy—not even if you should never recall how we once loved each other. And why all this? Why? Why? For the sake of the old doctor. You have done this from a sense of gratitude, and he after all was only doing his duty.

Lenka.—He did more than that.

Valenta.—And even if he did! Still he cannot require such a price for it. (Suddenly, with more vehemence.) Or are you afraid of a public scandal, since your marriage is already announced?

Lenka (Hastily).—No, not that. If only he himself would release me from my promise!

Valenta.—You had better release him!

Lenka.—That would make him suffer shame and ridicule in return for all his kind deeds. And how could I tell him!

Valenta.—I will tell him.

Lenka.—That would amount to the same thing. No, no!

Valenta.—If he only knew! ( makes an effort to advance, but holds him back.)

Lenka (Sadly, despondently).—But he does know; Mrs. Rettig has surely told him.

Plavec (Coming forward).—But yet not all; not this, Miss Lenka. ( utters a stifled scream.)

Valenta (Rising quickly).—Doctor, if you have heard—

Plavec (Forcing a smile).—Well, just a bit. (To .) And everything bids us cancel the match.

Lenka.—No, doctor, I have promised.

Plavec.—No, no, Lenka dear, enough of this effort to overcome yourself. But I did not want you to suffer such pain; I did not think of it; no, no indeed! (With a doctor's cheerfulness.) And the heart must be kept sound and well. (With forced cheerfulness.) And therefore we will release each other: you because of your love and I because of gratitude to you for your intended sacrifice. That sacrifice I cannot accept. I only did my duty.