Robert. Please--let me keep it--or can"t you trust me?
Trast. I"m afraid that story of Pepe will go to your head.
Robert. Hasn"t a word of honor between two dishonored men any value?
Trast. Good! Keep it, (Robert _goes out followed by_ Wilhelm. Trast _is about to follow him, but stops_)--Perhaps it was imprudent after all?--But if the youngster comes home, I"ll keep them apart. Now there is something else to attend to. If this girl here is what I think she is--(_Enter_ Leonore L. _wearing a winter costume_) Ah, this is very fortunate.
Leonore. (_Giving him her hand. Excitedly_) Count, do you know where I"ve been? To your apartment! (_Takes her coat and hat off_) Are you shocked at my boldness? But you were the only one to whom I could go to find out what has happened. I was afraid my brother was on the way to ruin that young girl. I suspected it. Has your friend found out?
Trast. If that were all!
Leonore. What else could there be----
Trast. I admit, I really can"t find words to----
Leonore. Please tell me!
Trast. Very well! Your parents have considered it necessary to make those poor people forget their trouble--so they appealed to them on their weakest side--namely, by their poverty.
Leonore. Do you mean to say that?--that--they--bought my brother"s--(_As_ Trast _nods_) Oh, G.o.d!
Trast. It goes without saying that personally I offer no criticism of them whatever. That is the customary means of ending such relationships. But I am afraid for my friend.
Leonore. (_Her face in her hands_) How can I ever make it up to him?
Trast. Do you feel that it is your duty?
Leonore. My duty? My whole being revolts against this disgusting practice of my home!--Pay!--always pay! pay for honor, pay for love, pay for justice! We can afford it, we have the money. (_Throws herself into a chair. Then springing up_) Forgive me! I don"t know what I"m doing! I spoke of my family as though they were strangers.
Trast. Perhaps they are more strangers to you than you think!
Leonore. (_Confused_) If you were only right! (_As he appears to listen to something outside_) What is it?
Trast. Isn"t that your brother"s voice?
Leonore. (_At the door_) Yes, with some of his friends.
Trast. (_Aside_) I shouldn"t have let him keep the revolver. (_Taking his hat_) Is he going to the office?
Leonore. No, I think they are coming here.
Trast. (_Putting his hat down again_) Good, I will wait for him--One thing, Fraulein--My friend leaves this house to-day; he leaves the city to-morrow and perhaps Europe in a short time.
Leonore. (_To herself_) Oh, G.o.d!
Trast. But to-day I should like to prevent a meeting between him and your brother. If that meeting does occur, without my being able to prevent it, I should like you to remain in the vicinity.
Leonore. (_She nods; voices are heard at the door. She hurries to the left, then turns_) What shall I do. Count?
Trast. Be true to him!
Leonore. I will! (_She goes_)
Trast. Now--the brother!
(_Enter_ Kurt, Lothar _and_ Hugo.)
Kurt. (_Surprised_) Count!
Lothar. (_Aside_) Good thing we came with you!
Trast. I should like a few words with you, Herr Muhlingk.
Kurt. Sorry, but I am very pressed for time; my father is waiting for me!
Trast. (_Aside_) Oho!--(_To_ Kurt) It"s a personal favor.
Kurt. I have no secrets from my friends, Count. (_They sit down_)
Trast. Someone, a great friend of mine, has suffered deeply because of his honor. On my advice and as a favor to me he has foregone sending you a challenge.
Kurt. You are mistaken, Count; Herr Heinecke received satisfaction.
Lothar. We could allow no other satisfaction.
Trast. (_Looks at him from head to foot_) We won"t go into that any further, Herr Muhlingk. My friend at this moment is with your father, settling his accounts in person.
Kurt, Well, that is his privilege.
Trast. He is to have an interview with him at the same time.
Kurt. That is also his privilege. Count.
Trast. In an hour my friend will have left this establishment. In consideration of the strain of excitement under which he is probably suffering at present, it would be to the advantage of both sides if a meeting between you could be avoided.
Lothar. That----
Trast, (_Quietly_) Herr Lieutenant, I have not as yet taken the liberty of addressing you! Herr Muhlingk, let us consider this seriously. You are speaking with some one who has your material welfare at heart--not out of sympathy, I am free to admit--Therefore, I may speak to you almost as a friend, don"t let these gentlemen intimidate you.
Hugo. No, don"t let us intimidate you!
Trast. And consider this! I don"t dare think of the wrong I have done that man--you will--you"ll do me this favor?
Lothar. (_Behind_ Kurt) Now show him!
Kurt. I have nothing to say, Count, because I find it impossible to choose words to express my astonishment at your extraordinary request.