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[Shocked.] Alfred,—you are doing Rita a great wrong!

I have done her a great wrong. But not in this. Oh, think of it, Asta—think of our life together, yours and mine. Was it not like one long holy-day from first to last?

Yes, it was, Alfred. But we can never live it over again.

[Bitterly.] Do you mean that marriage has so irreparably ruined me?

[Quietly] No, that is not what I mean.

Well, then we two will live our old life over again.

[With decision.] We cannot, Alfred.

Yes, we can. For the love of a brother and sister

[Eagerly.] What of it?

That is the only relation in life that is not subject to the law of change.