[_Offers her hand hesitatingly_.] Good-morning! Pastor. I will wait here, Mr. Paul! Paul. Then, Miss Marie, will you please give me the key to the cellar? I want to put the beer on the ice. Marie. [_Gets key from keyboard_.] Here it is. Paul. Thank you! [_Exit_.] [_Pause_.] Pastor. And have you nothing to say to me? Marie. What shall I say, Pastor? Pastor. Are you not happy this day? Marie. [_Hard_.] No! Pastor. Not even on account of our betrothal? Marie. We will have no betrothal, Pastor! Pastor. What are you saying? Marie. I shall leave this place---- Pastor. _You_---- Marie. To-day, I leave this house! Pastor. Pardon me, if I have forced my attentions upon you---- Marie. No! You have not! Pastor. My attentions were honorable, I assure you---- Marie. Thank you, Pastor, I know that; but---- Pastor. Then it is not on my account you are leaving? Marie. Certainly not! Pastor. Does any one here know of your intention? Marie. No one! Pastor. Miss Marie, I am still a young man; if I should mention such a word as "life's happiness," it would, perhaps, sound absurd. Therefore, I will not speak of myself. My fate is in my own hands. But if you realize this moment what you owe to this house--and I say this not for mine, nor for their sake, I say it for yours and yours alone; though I am but a poor mortal--it pains me--but be that as it may--Marie, if you cause a discord in this house, the blame will rest upon yourself. Marie. Perhaps! Pastor.