(Leonore _enters left_) Oh, how disgusting! what humiliation for us!

(_To_ Leonore) What do you want?

Leonore. I have something to say to you.

Muhlingk. We haven't time now, go to your room.

Leonore. No, Father. I can't play the part of the silent daughter any longer. If I am a member of the family I want to take part in this conversation.

Muhlingk. What is the meaning of all this ceremony?

Leonore. Something very unfortunate has taken place in our family.

Muhlingk. I don't know anything----!

Leonore. You needn't try to hide it from me. According to the rules of modern hypocrisy which are applied to the so-called young ladies, I ought to go about with downcast eyes and play the part of innocent ignorance. Under the circ.u.mstances that doesn't work. I have heard about the whole affair.

Frau Muhlingk. And you aren't ashamed of yourself?

Leonore. (_Bitterly_) I am ashamed of myself.

Muhlingk. Do you know whom you are speaking to? Are you mad?

Leonore. If my tone was impertinent, please forgive me. I want to soften you, not to quarrel with you. Perhaps I have been a bad daughter--Perhaps I really haven't the right to have my own thoughts as long as I do not eat my own bread--If that is true, try to pardon me--I will make up for it a thousand times. But understand--give him back his honor----

Muhlingk. I won't ask you again what the fellow is to you?--what do you mean by "giving him back his honor?"

Leonore. Heavens, you must first at least have the good will to make up for what has happened. Then we can find the means later.

Muhlingk. You think so? Sit down, my child--I shall let my customary mildness still govern me and try to bring you to reason, although perhaps a stricter method would be more in place--Look at this old gray head. A great deal of honor has been piled up there and still in my whole life I have never meddled with this so-called sense of honor--ah, what a person has to endure without even saying "Hum" when he expects to succeed in life. Here is a young man from whom you say, I have taken his honor. Taking for granted that you are right--where does a young fellow like that get his honor? From his family? Or from my business?

My clerks are no knights. You say he had honor, and I'm supposed to give it back to him. How? By taking his sister as a daughter-in-law?

Frau Muhlingk. Really, Theodore, you mustn't say these things even as a joke.

Muhlingk. If I did that, I should disgrace myself and my family. On the other hand, this young man has the chance of getting out of the trouble. If he refuses, and it comes back to me, who shall be made unhappy, we or he? My answer is; he shall, I have no desire to be, myself--That's the way I've always done, and everyone knows me as a man of honor.

Leonore. (_Rising_) Father, is that your last word?

Muhlingk. My last! Now, come, give me a kiss and beg your mother's pardon.

Leonore. (_Shrinks back with a shudder_) Let me go! I can't deceive you!

Muhlingk. What do you mean?

Leonore. Father, I feel I am in the wrong, that I am asking the impossible from you. I shall have to know the world differently from--(_Stops suddenly and listens. There are voices in the hall_)

Muhlingk. And----?

Leonore. (_Aside_) It's he!--Oh, I can't stand it any longer!

(_Enter_ Wilhelm.)

Wilhelm. The young Herr Heinecke from the Alley is there again.

(Kurt _starts._)

Muhlingk. Did you tell him what I told you to say?

Wilhelm. Yes, Herr Councillor, but he followed me here from the office.

Muhlingk. What impertinence!--If he doesn't leave this----!

Kurt. Pardon me. Father. Perhaps he only wants to thank you! I believe he has reasons.

Muhlingk. Such people never give you thanks.

Kurt. Has he money to give you?

Muhlingk. Certainly.

Kurt. There must be something back of it--get it over and we'll be done with him.

Muhlingk. As far as I'm concerned--let him come.

(Wilhelm _goes out._)

Frau Muhlingk. We'll go, Leonore,

Leonore. (_Aside_) Kurt!

Kurt. Well?

Leonore. Be on your guard!

Kurt. Bah! (_Trying to hide his fear_)

(Frau Muhlingk _and_ Leonore _go out. Enter_ Robert, _apparently calm, respectful in manner--he carries a portfolio._)

Muhlingk. You were a little insistant, young man--Well, I never criticize a man in the discharge of duty; least of all when he is about to leave his employer, at the eleventh hour. Take a seat!

Robert. If you don't mind, I'll remain standing.