[Shakes his finger at KARL.

You'll have to stop that sort of thing, now, Karl. You know you are one of the reasons of tonight's ball. Isn't he, Olga?

OLGA

Yes—tonight Karl is to fall in love with his future wife.

KARL, goes L. C.

I shall do my best.

[To HERMAN.

Sentenced to marry! Well, I'm prepared to meet my doom.

OLGA, seated on couch, with a little sigh

At last! I shall be glad.

HERMAN

So shall I. So will the girl. So will Karl.

KARL

I hope so. She's a charming girl.

OLGA

Wait till you—

KARL

I know—I know. I shall adore her. But I have till this evening, you know.

HERMAN, crossing to OLGA

Well, I'm off. My agent may telephone any minute.

[He kisses OLGA'S hand.

I shall call for you at four o'clock, my dear. And don't worry about tonight: the caterer has his instructions.

[Crossing to R., shaking hands with KARL, who holds him back.

KARL, shaking HERMAN'S hand

Aren't you afraid to leave your wife?

HERMAN

Shall I tell you the truth? I'm hurrying because I'm afraid of changing my mind and taking Olga away with me.

OLGA

You're not jealous?

HERMAN, at door

If I wasn't afraid of appearing ridiculous, I would say: Be good! And now, good-bye.

[He goes off, KARL bringing him to the door of entrance hall.

KARL

[Coming back, closes the door, stands still for a minute—when he comes back, OLGA shivers slightly and touches her forehead with her hand.

[Crosses to L. C. by OLGA.

What is it?

OLGA, with a nervous, soft laugh

Nothing—nothing at all.

KARL, tenderly

Are you frightened?

[OLGA does not answer.

Tell me.

OLGA, nervous, confused, as if she was afraid of him

I don't know, but—I feel as if—as if—

KARL

What do you mean?

OLGA, trying to laugh, but very nervously

I had the same feeling once in Dresden, when my mother took me to a boarding-school and left me there. I felt as if I were quite alone in this wide, strange world—and now—you know yourself. I have fought against coming here for six years.

[Looks around.

What a queer place. I don't think I like it. [KARL crosses C. and up laughing. Strange monsters, cut off heads, and you in the middle of all this like a wizard. While my husband was here I did not feel it, but now these heads seem to stare at me.

[She shivers.

KARL

Don't be nervous—every woman I paint comes here.

OLGA, seated on couch, quietly

And do you paint every woman that comes here?

KARL

No.

[Silence.

OLGA

Did you understand my husband just now?

KARL

I think I did.

OLGA

He has often pretended to be jealous, but this time there was a ring in his voice that made me feel that there was something behind it.

KARL

You don't really think he's jealous?

OLGA, crosses to chair

No. But this is the first time I've been alone with you.

KARL

Now we can talk things over. I've wanted to for a long time.

OLGA, leans against R. back of chair

We've done well to avoid it all these years. A good conscience is like a warm bath—one feels so comfortable in it.

KARL

Last Thursday, when we spoke about my painting your portrait, you seemed embarrassed.

OLGA, looks at him; their eyes meet

Don't let us talk about it. I don't want to.

KARL

Don't be afraid of me. If I were not I, your fear might be justified; but as it is, surely we can trust ourselves to talk things over quietly. To think that seven years ago I was a teacher in Herman's family—and I was there the day your engagement was announced—it was the evening of the day we—

OLGA, puts her hand on his, softly reproaching him

Karl.

KARL

—We kissed each other for the first time. Oh, I know. I was only a drawing teacher—but you—what were you? Just a poor little friend of Herman's sisters. Sometimes you were asked to tea in their grand house. And there we met—a beggar boy and a beggar girl at the rich man's table. Do you wonder? And then, just as we realized what we were to each other, one fine day Herman up and proposed to you. Such a dazzling offer—who could blame you?

OLGA, hurt

Please—please, Karl.

KARL

We were two poor little souls who found one another in the wilderness of wealth—only to lose each other. Even the memory of that one little kiss....

OLGA

Dear Karl, don't. We have grown up to be sensible people—we have put it out of our thoughts.

KARL

Oh, I know it's all over. To-day I'm—(humorously) the famous painter, your husband is my friend, and though we see one another every day, we have never spoken of it again. I wouldn't even have the courage to ask you to sit for your portrait. I was afraid, and I think you were afraid. And so was your husband. And that is why until this day—

OLGA, steps down one pace from chair, gives him her hand

You are a real friend.

KARL, goes to her, gently

There's nothing to be afraid of.

OLGA

Oh, it was only my husband's voice—something in his manner that frightened me. He must know what we were to one another, though he has never made the slightest allusion to it, not one single word in all these years. But when he left us here alone, he seemed to feel—

[Breaks off.

But there is no reason for it, is there? We are not in love with one another, are we? And it's just lovely to think that we have not entirely forgotten old times. Don't you think so, Karl?

KARL, goes to chair

Of course I do.

OLGA

Because if we still loved one another, you would not marry, would you?

[Taking off gloves.

KARL

Of course not.

OLGA

So you will be married and you will be very, very happy—and I shall be happy, too, because it is my own idea,