_Adr._ I would not consent to Petrizoff's death. _Soph._ [_Lifting her head_] O! [_Regarding him steadily_] You refused your consent when you knew that his death would save me? _Adr._ [_Lowering his eyes_] I did. _Soph._ He, a murderer, whose death has been justly due a thousand times, and I, innocent, the woman you say you love---- _Adr._ [_Bowing his head, not meeting her look_] I have told you the truth. _Soph._ And that is why we part forever? _Adr._ That is why. _Soph._ Because I could not forgive you? _Adr._ No. I should want more than forgiveness. I should want you to understand. _Soph._ That you were right? _Adr._ Yes. _Soph._ And I couldn't understand? _Adr._ [_Still hopelessly, not looking at her_] No. _Soph._ [_Coming nearer_] And we part forever? [_He makes no answer. She comes nearer_] Forever? [_He is still silent. She comes near enough to turn his face to hers_] Forever, Adrian? _Adr._ Sophie! [_Takes her in his arms_] _Soph._ O, do you think I will ever leave you now? _Adr._ You _do_ understand! _Soph._ [_Smiling_] That I can never be in your way? You will always sacrifice me first? Yes, I knew that all the time, but you didn't. _Adr._ And it makes no difference? _Soph._ How can it when I love you? _Adr._ I wonder if _God_ understands women. _Soph._ O, some of them. The rest He made to puzzle over when eternity hangs on His hands. _Adr._ [_Kissing her_] Heaven-heart! _Soph._ [_Releasing herself_] That must wait. We haven't a minute---- [_They hear steps outside, and stand waiting. Orloff and two guards enter_] _Orl._ It is my turn to be surprised, your highness. I suppose you are here to assure _this_ prisoner of safety. _Soph._ What prisoner? _Orl._ Adrian Lavrov. [_Guards put fetters on Adrian's wrists_] _Adr._ For what crime am I arrested? _Orl._ [_To guards_] Keep him here until I return. _Adr._ For what crime? _Orl._ For crime sufficient. _Adr._ I insist upon knowing. _Orl._ You will know soon enough--in the next world. They say everything is known there. _Soph._ He is ashamed to tell you. You are arrested as chief instigator in the burning of Yaltowa. _Adr._ Is it possible? _Soph._ More than possible. It is so. That is the crime you will die for unless you are rescued by a rising of the people. _Adr._ That must not be! _Orl._ Don't worry. We are giving your friends enough to think about. [_Sophie has gradually neared the door. Orloff steps before her_] _Orl._ Pardon me, your highness. You invited me into your carriage a few hours ago. I beg to return the courtesy. _Soph._ Let me pass! _Orl._ You will leave here only under my escort. _Soph._ I know where I shall die then. _Orl._ You have cost me one prisoner. _Soph._ What proof have you? _Orl._ None--yet. But I know it. _Soph._ O wonderful sagacity! _Orl._ And I shall lay my reasons before Petrizoff. _Soph._ I suppose you believe, too, that I would rescue the Shepherd of Lonz?