Let us say, for the sake of argument, that the wrong is the gravest that one man can do another; let us say he has seduced his friend"s wife. Has the husband a right to the other man"s life?
Norbert.
Why, father--there can be but one answer to that. And if the other man is a man of honour--though I don"t see how he could be, do you?--he would be more eager to give his life than the husband could possibly be to take it.
Richard.
H"m. Perhaps you"re right. Thank you, my boy.
Norbert.
Uncle Michael, at what time to-morrow may I see you?
Kellinghausen.
I"ll send you word, Norbert.
Norbert.
Thanks. Don"t make it too late, will you? Don"t keep me waiting too long. Good-bye. Good-bye, father. (_Goes out_.)
Richard.
Well--are you satisfied?
Kellinghausen.
You put the question in a way that suggests suicide. That was not----
Richard.
It is your own choice. All I ask is two days" respite. You won"t refuse it? (Kellinghausen _shrugs his shoulders_.) Good-bye. (_Goes out_.)
Curtain.
ACT IV
ACT IV
_A study in the house of_ Richard Volkerlingk. _Doors on the right and left, at the back. A fireplace in the middle background, the rest of the wall hidden by book-cases, which frame the fireplace and doors.
In the foreground, to the left, a window. To the right of it, a writing-table. In the centre a table covered with periodicals and books. On the right a leather sofa and arm-chairs. Behind these a door.
Rich and sombre decorations, old pictures, armour, etc. A hanging-lamp with a green shade, another lamp on a table, both lit. Through the window one sees the twilight_. Holtzmann _is seated at the centre-table, reading_.
_Enter_ George.
George.
Herr Holtzmann, some one is asking for the Baron.
Holtzmann.
Why, you know the Baron is at the Reichstag.
George.
He says it"s important that the Baron should see him. He wants to know when he can call again.
Holtzmann.
Do you know who it is?
George.
Well--not exactly a gentleman. What shall I tell him?
Holtzmann.
The Baron speaks this afternoon. He will not leave till the House rises. Tell the man to come back in an hour. (George _goes out_.)
Norbert _enters_.
Norbert (_greatly excited_).
Herr Holtzmann--haven"t you been at the Reichstag? (Holtzmann _shakes his head without speaking_.) Then you haven"t heard? My father has had the most wonderful triumph--they say there has never been anything like it.
Holtzmann.
Ah?
Norbert.
I wish I could give you an idea of it! Look at me--I"m shaking all over! If you could have heard the way the words rushed out, the way the thoughts trod on each other"s heels! He began by sketching the psychology of the modern man, and from that he developed a theory of marriage, with its outward obligations and inner ideals--the marriage of to-day in its highest, n.o.blest sense--but you"ll read what he said; you"ll see if I"m exaggerating. Then he went on to the practical application of his theory. In this unsettled age, when parents are losing their control over their children, and the state its hold over the citizen, when even G.o.d and His priests see the soul of man slipping away from them--at such a time we must do all we can to strengthen the only tie that holds humanity together--the only tie that gives youth the shelter of the family life till habit becomes duty, and duty the law of being, and through obedience to that law a strong and enduring national soul is created. Isn"t that beautiful, Herr Holtzmann? Isn"t that a glorious idea?
Holtzmann.
Very fine, very fine. But doesn"t such an argument lead back to the standpoint of the Church, which----
Norbert.
When marriage is a mockery, he said, the state may intervene and dissolve it. That was all. Never in my life have I heard such a scathing denunciation of infidelity!