MAIA.
[Drawing ULFHEIM away.] Let us make haste and get down.
ULFHEIM.
[To PROFESSOR RUBEK.] I cannot help more than one. Take refuge in the hut in the mean-time--while the storm lasts. Then I shall send people up to fetch the two of you away.
IRENE.
[In terror.] To fetch us away! No, no!
ULFHEIM.
[Harshly.] To take you by force if necessary--for it"s a matter of life and death here. Now, you know it. [To MAIA.] Come, then--and don"t fear to trust yourself in your comrade"s hands.
MAIA.
[Clinging to him.] Oh, how I shall rejoice and sing, if I get down with a whole skin!
ULFHEIM.
[Begins the descent and calls to the others.] You"ll wait, then, in the hut, till the men come with ropes, and fetch you away.
[ULFHEIM, with MAIA in his arms, clambers rapidly but warily down the precipice.
IRENE.
[Looks for some time at PROFESSOR RUBEK with terror-stricken eyes.] Did you hear that, Arnold?--men are coming up to fetch me away! Many men will come up here--
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Do not be alarmed, Irene!
IRENE.
[In growing terror.] And she, the woman in black--she will come too. For she must have missed me long ago. And then she will seize me, Arnold!
And put me in the strait-waistcoat. Oh, she has it with her, in her box.
I have seen it with my own eyes--
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Not a soul shall be suffered to touch you.
IRENE.
[With a wild smile.] Oh no--I myself have a resource against that.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
What resource do you mean?
IRENE.
[Drawing out the knife.] This!
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Tries to seize it.] Have you a knife?
IRENE.
Always, always--both day and night--in bed as well!
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Give me that knife, Irene!
IRENE.
[Concealing it.] You shall not have it. I may very likely find a use for it myself.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
What use can you have for it, here?
IRENE.
[Looks fixedly at him.] It was intended for you, Arnold.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.