Frau Heinecke. (_Weeping_) You can thank the Lord, Count, you're not married! There are right ungrateful sons in this world! Trast. (_To himself_) You talk like a mother--(_Realising what he has said_) Pah! Trast, that wasn't nice! Frau Heinecke. Ain't I right? Trast. (_Takes her hands in his_) A mother is always right. She has suffered and loved too much to be anything else. (_Shakes her hand_) Frau Heinecke. But, Count! You shake hands with a poor old woman! Trast. I have sinned against the mothers, and I must beg forgiveness. And my own not the least. There are worse sons, than yours, my dear woman. (Robert _takes out a leather portfolio, looks through it, and lays it aside. Then he takes out a revolver which he tests._) Trast. (_Aside_) Ah, a revolver! This is how he's going to settle accounts! (Robert, _seeing he is observed, quickly hides the revolver in his breast pocket. He takes his hat and portfolio and comes forward._) Robert. Now I'm ready! Trast. I'll go with you. Robert. You? Trast. Have I the right? Robert. (_Hesitatingly_) Good, come! Frau Heinecke. (_Tenderly, in tears_) Robert! Robert. (_Tries to conceal his excitement_) I--shall come--again--to say--good-bye! Now I have something important to do. (_He goes towards the door_) Frau Heinecke. (_At the door, wringing her hands_) Herr Kurt and him! Oh, there'll be trouble! Trast. (_Aside_) Shh! ssh!--Well, are we off? Robert. (_To his mother, in great excitement, tenderly_) And if we--don't see each other--(_Controlling himself_) Good! We'll go! (_Both go out as_ THE CURTAIN FALLS.) ACT IV. Scene:--_Same as in Act II_. (Trast, Wilhelm _and_ Robert _discovered_. Robert _carries a portfolio under his arm._) Wilhelm. (_Aside to_ Trast) I have strict orders not to let Herr Heinecke in. Trast. Nor me? Wilhelm. Oh, with the Count it is a different matter. Trast. Thank you for the trust you put in me. Herr Heinecke is accompanied by me. I shall be responsible for his presence here. We shall wait for the Herr Councillor. Wilhelm. But---- Trast. Which do you prefer--specie or paper? (_Looking for money in his pocket-book_) Is the whole house empty? Wilhelm. The Herr Councillor has gone to the factory, the Gnadige Frau has a headache, the Gnadiges Fraulein has gone to the city--Herr Kurt likewise. Trast. Together? Wilhelm. Oh, they never go together--Herr Kurt wanted to countermand the invitation--because--(_Indicates_ Robert) Trast. (_Gives him money_) Good! That's all! Wilhelm. Nothing further, sir? Trast. Go. (Wilhelm _bows and goes out_) Trast. Come here, my boy. Robert. What do you want? Trast. What do I want? You know I never want anything. These things don't affect me. But the question is: What do you want here--in this house? Robert. I want to settle my account.