Yes, let him come.
MAX.
He wanted me to ask you first. He would then send in his card this morning.
MAGDA.
What formalities the men go through here! Who is he?
MAX.
Councillor von Keller.
MAGDA.
[_Speaking with difficulty_.] He--what?--he?
MAX.
[_Laughing_.] Pardon me, but you"re as white now as he was.
MAGDA.
[_Quietly_.] I? White?
_Enter_ Theresa _with a card_.
MAX.
Here he is. Dr. von Keller.
MAGDA.
Let him come up.
MAX.
[_Smiling_.] I"ll only say to you, my dear cousin, that he"s a very important man, who has a great career before him, and promises to be a pillar of our religious circle.
MAGDA.
Thank you!
_Enter_ Von Keller _with a bouquet_.
MAX.
[_Crossing to him_.] My dear Councillor, here is my cousin, who is delighted to see you. You will excuse me.
[_Exit, with a bow to each_.
[Von Keller _remains standing at the door_. Magda _moves about nervously. Silence_.]
MAGDA.
[_Aside_.] Here is my spectre! [_Indicates a seat at the table, left, and sits down opposite_.]
VON KELLER.
First, you must allow me to express my warmest and most sincere good wishes. This is a surprise which you happily could not have expected.
And as a sign of my interest, allow me, my dearest friend, to present you with these modest flowers.
MAGDA.
Oh, how thoughtful! [_Takes the flowers with a laugh, and throws them on the table_.]
VON KELLER.
[_In embarra.s.sment_.] I--I see with sorrow that you resent this approach on my part. Have I in any way been wanting in the necessary delicacy? In these narrow circles a meeting could not have been avoided. I think it is better, my dearest friend, that we should come to an understanding,--that we should know the relations--
MAGDA.
[_Rising_.] You"re right, my friend. I was not at the height of my own nature just now. Had I been, I might have played the deserted Marguerite to the end. The morals of home had infected me a little. But I am myself again. Give me your hand bravely. Don"t be afraid, I won"t harm you. So--tight--so!
VON KELLER.
You make me happy.
MAGDA.
I"ve painted this meeting to myself a thousand times, and have been prepared for it for years. Something warned me, too, when I undertook this journey home--though I must say I hardly expected just here to-- Yes, how is it that, after what has pa.s.sed between us, you came into this house? It seems to me a little--
VON KELLER.
I tried to avoid it until quite recently; but since we belong to the same circles, and since I agree with the views of this family--that is, at least in theory--
MAGDA.
Yes, yes. Let me look at you, my poor friend. How you have changed!
VON KELLER.
[_Laughing nervously_.] I seem to have the misfortune to make a rather absurd figure in your eyes.
MAGDA.
No, oh, no! I can see it all. The effort to keep worthy of respect under such difficulties, with a bad conscience, is awkward. You look down from the height of your pure atmosphere on your sinful youth,--for you are called a pillar, my dear friend.