_Enter Rosa. She is dressed richly, but simply. She is somewhat pale and fatigued, but very beautiful. She tries to speak and to move gracefully, but at times she forgets herself and becomes rude and vociferous. She feds tormented by this. Rosa is accompanied by two horsemen. The older man is very pale and he frowns angrily. Naum clings to Rosa, as though seeking protection in her youth, strength, and beauty, and he walks faintly after her._ DAVID. _In a rather loud voice._ Sarah, here are the suitors. SARAH. _Waving her hand._ Oh, be silent, David. ROSA. _Kissing her mother carelessly._ How tired I am, mamma. Good afternoon, father. SARAH. Take care of yourself, Rosochka; you mustn't study so much. _To the older of the two cavaliers._ Please tell her that she mustn't work so hard--what does she need to work for now? YOUNG RIDER. _In a low voice._ People should pray before your daughter, madam Leizer. Soon a temple will be erected in her honor. OLDER RIDER. _Smiling._ And near the temple, a cemetery. Madam Leizer, there are always cemeteries near the temples. ROSA. Good-by. I am tired. If you are disengaged, come in to-morrow morning--I may go out with you again. OLDER RIDER. _Shrugging his shoulders._ Disengaged? Oh, yes, of course, we are entirely free. _Harshly._ Good-by. YOUNG RIDER. _With a sigh._ Good-by. _They go out._ SARAH. _Uneasily._ Rosochka, I think you have offended him. Why did you do it? ROSA. That doesn't matter, mamma. ANATHEMA. _To David._ These are not suitors, David. _David laughs morosely. Anathema runs over to Rosa and offers her his arm. He leads her, half-dancing, merrily whistling the same tune that the organ had played._ ANATHEMA. Oh, Rosa, were it not for my age (_whistles_) and not for my illness (_whistles_), I would be the first to ask your hand. ROSA. _Laughing haughtily._ Better illness than death. DAVID. You are a very gay man, Nullius. ANATHEMA. _Whistling._ The absence of wealth and, then, a clear conscience, David, a clear conscience. I have nothing to do, so I walk arm in arm with Rosa. You spoke of death, Rosa? ROSA. Yes. ANATHEMA. _Stopping._ You are indeed beautiful, Rosa. _Thoughtfully._ And what if.... If.... But no; duty above all. Listen to me, Rosa: don't give yourself away to any one less than a prince, even though the prince of darkness. NAUM. Rosochka, why did you go away from me? I feel cold when you do not hold my hand. Hold my hand, Rosochka. ROSA. _Hesitating._ But I must go to change my dress, Naum. NAUM. I will accompany you as far as your room. You know, I danced again to-day and danced very well. I am not so short of breath now any longer.