Wittich.
That concern, however, I shall share with you--my dear sir. And it seems to me that the best plan would be for the lady to put on a decent dress, walk through the grounds with me, and pay a visit to the Countess at the castle.
Pierre.
What!--my mother--? What"s the use of that?
Wittich.
It will look as if she"d returned--and we"d--somehow--met here.
Pierre.
Do you think any one is going to believe that?
Wittich (_proudly_).
What else should they believe?
Julia (_frightened anew_).
Oh, but I don"t want to! I don"t want to do that! Pierre! I want to stay with you! I am under your protection, Pierre!
Pierre.
See here, my dear sir, let us suppose that your plan is successful--what then?
Julia.
Yes--yes--afterward--what then?
Wittich.
Then?--Then-- (_Looks from one to the other, uncertainly, almost imploringly, and breaks down again._)
Pierre.
Well--won"t you go on with your proposition?
Wittich.
Yes, I suppose that when a man has acted as I have acted here, he must have lost--his sense of pride--and honour--and all the rest of it--long ago.--Then nothing is left him but--his duty.--And the thing that seems to me my--duty--I am going to do.--Let the Count sneer at me--I no longer----
Pierre.
Oh, please--I say!
Wittich.
Well, then, let me tell you something, Julia. After I had read the letter from Brussels, I had two rooms prepared for you--in the left wing--quite apart; so that some day, in case--you ever--came back-- Oh, well--it doesn"t matter now. But the rooms--are--still there--and if you would like to come home with me now--straight off--well, you might be spared--some annoyance.
Pierre.
H"m--so you"re willing--? (_Shrugs his shoulders and laughs._) I suppose that sort of thing is all a matter of taste--but I can understand----
Wittich.
I am speaking to you, Julia.
Julia.
Oh, I thank you most heartily, George. It"s certainly very n.o.ble of you--and--I deeply appreciate it. But after--this, I should always feel ashamed before you--I should feel that I was just being tolerated--I-- No. Thank you, George--but I couldn"t stand it.
Pierre (_correcting her_).
That is--! (_Aside to_ Julia.) Don"t be a fool!
Wittich (_without noticing_ Pierre).
You shall never hear a word of reproach from my lips, Julia, dear.
Julia.
But--if I should actually accept--we never could go on as we did before, you know. I must be free to do exactly as I please--to go away--come back--just as I like. There is such a thing as the sovereignty of the individuality, my dear George--you can"t deny that.
Pierre.
Herr Wittich can"t possibly deny that!
Wittich.
You shall have your own way as far as it lies in my power, Julia, dear.
Julia.
And then, you must try to bring a little more--more beauty into our life.--I surely have the right to demand that. Just look about you here. You know how pa.s.sionately fond of roses I am. My soul demands something besides--potatoes! Well, I insist upon having roses around me. That"s not unreasonable, is it?
Wittich.
You shall have roses enough to smother you.
Pierre (_nervously_).
Well, then, Julia, dear, I see no reason why we should not accept this proposition.
Wittich.
What have you got to say about it?