Father dear, I will humble myself before you willingly. I lament with my whole heart that I've brought sorrow to you to-day, for my flesh and blood still belong to you. But I must live out my own life. That I owe to myself,--to myself and mine. Good-by! SCHWARTZE. [_Stopping her_.] Where are you going? MAGDA. Let me pass, father. SCHWARTZE. I'll kill you first. [_Seizes her_.] MRS. SCHWARTZE. Leopold! [_Enter_ Heffterdingt. _He throws himself between them with a cry of horror_. Magda, _freed by the old man, goes slowly back, with her eyes fixed on the_ Pastor, _to the seat, left, where she remains motionless_.] HEFFTERDINGT. [_After a silence_.] In God's name! SCHWARTZE. Yes, yes, yes, Pastor--it made a fine family group, eh? Look at her! She has soiled my name. Any scoundrel can break my sword. That is my daughter; that is-- HEFFTERDINGT. Dear Colonel, these are things which I do not understand, and which I do not care to understand. But it seems to me there must be something to do, instead of-- SCHWARTZE. Yes, to do,--yes, yes,--there's much to do here. I have much to do. I don't see why I'm standing here. The worst of it is--the worst of it is, he can say to me--this man--you are a cripple--with your shaking hand--with such a one I can't fight, even if I have had your daughter for a-- But I will show him-- I will show him-- Where is my hat? MRS. SCHWARTZE. Where are you going, Leopold? [Magda _rises_.] SCHWARTZE. My hat! MRS. SCHWARTZE. [_Gives him hat and stick_.] Here, here! SCHWARTZE. So! [_To_ Magda.] Learn to thank the God, in whom you disbelieve, that he has preserved your father until this hour, for he shall bring you back your honor! MAGDA. [_Kneeling, and kissing his hand_.] Don't do it, father! I don't deserve this of you. SCHWARTZE. [_Bends weeping over her head_.] My poor, poor child! MAGDA. [_Calling after him_.] Father! [_Exit_ Schwartze _quickly_. MRS. SCHWARTZE. My child, whatever happens, we women--we must hold together. MAGDA. Thanks, mamma. The play will soon be played out now. HEFFTERDINGT. My dear Mrs. Schwartze, Marie is out there, full of sorrow. Go and say a kind word to her. MRS. SCHWARTZE. What shall I say to comfort her, when all the happiness has gone out of her life? [Magda _jumps up in anguish_.] Oh, Pastor, Pastor! [_Exit_.