This afternoon I waited before her hotel to see if Miss Franziska had not been mistaken. At a quarter to four she came out of the house and got into her carriage. MARIE. You saw her? MRS. SCHWARTZE. How did she look? What did she have on? HEFFTERDINGT. The performance began at four, and must be almost over now. I will wait for her again at the hotel, and will tell her that she will find your arms open to her. May I? MARIE. Yes, yes, papa, won't you let him? MRS. SCHWARTZE. Just think with whom your daughter-- SCHWARTZE. Will you swear to me that no weak and personal motives are mixed with your intention,--that you do what you do in the name of our Lord and Saviour? HEFFTERDINGT. I swear it! SCHWARTZE. Then God's will be done. [Marie _gives a cry of joy_. Heffterdingt _presses_ Schwartze's _hand_.] SCHWARTZE. [_Holding his hand, speaking softly_.] The way will be hard for you, I know. Your lost youth--your pride-- HEFFTERDINGT. Dear Colonel, I begin to think that pride is a very poor sort of thing. It really profits us little to have it always in our mouths. I am giving back a daughter to an old father. I am giving back a home to an erring soul. That, I think, is enough. [_Exit_. Marie _throws herself on her father's breast, laughing and crying_.] ACT II. Scene _same as_ Act I. _It is evening; only a slight glow of sunset still shines through the windows_. [Marie _and_ Theresa _discovered_.] THERESA. [_Bringing in a lighted lamp_.] Miss Marie! Miss Marie!--What is she staring at all the time? Miss Marie! MARIE [_starting_.] [_From the window_.] What do you want? THERESA. Shall I lay the supper? MARIE. Not yet. THERESA. It's half-past seven. MARIE. And he left at half-past six. The performance must have been over long ago. She will not come. THERESA. Who? Is any one coming to supper? MARIE. No, no, no. [_As_ Theresa _is going_.] Theresa! do you suppose you could pick a couple of bouquets in the garden? THERESA. I might try, but I couldn't tell what I was getting. It's almost pitch dark. MARIE. Yes, yes. You may go. THERESA. Shall I try to pick the flowers, or-- MARIE. No--thank you, no. THERESA.