[_Sinks in chair and covers his face with his hands_.] Brauer. My boy----[_Emotion stops him from saying more--walks about_.] See here----[_Again the same--tries to light a cigar, breaks it and throws it away_.] George. You should not have said that, uncle! No, no---- Brauer. My God, you knew of it? George. Yes, I knew of it, and yet you should not have said it; you should not have repeated it. Twelve years ago, in our quarrel, when you raised your whip to me--and I reached for the carving-knife--no, no--I should not have done that. You should not have raised your whip, nor I the knife. That is the reason I refused anything from you at all. Now you know it. From that day I swore to scratch the gold from the ground with my finger nails and fling it in your face. From that day I hated you--and rightly so! Brauer. And all that because I saved your and your father's name from dishonor and disgrace? George. _No!_ But because you turned that same deed into a weapon to crush my youthful pride. Brauer. My boy, one uses the weapon nearest to hand. George. [_Bitterly_.] Even if it is only a whip. But then, I see my mistake. I have no right to pride; my fatherly inheritance does not permit it. Give me your gold! I'll take it! All--all! Brauer. No, no; in your present state of mind I will force nothing on you. You might again turn to hating me. George. Ah no, dear uncle, that is past. Hereafter, I will swallow my pride. Brauer. My boy---- Marie. [_Enters_.] Pardon me papa, but mama asks, if you are not yet ready to go? Brauer. [_With a glance at_ George.] Well, as far as I am concerned, I am ready now! [_Takes his hat_.] Marie, give him a glass of brandy to brace him up. [_Goes to door and returns_.]. George? George. Uncle? [Brauer _offers his hand_.] My hand I cannot refuse you. Brauer. [_Goes to door. In door_.] Yes, and your heart, too, I will win again--or I'll be damned!!!! [_Exits, slamming door_.] Marie. What did he say to you, George? George. Do not ask me, do not ask me! [_Walks about_.] All these years I have struggled and deprived myself with only one thing in view--to be free--free--and yet I must bow--I must bow. If it were not for the sake of this beautiful child, who is innocent of it all, I would be tempted to---- But the die is cast, the yoke is ready--and so am I!!!!!!! Marie.