MIN. Can you venture to find fault with your own words when coming from my lips? MAJ. T. Sophistry! Does the weaker sex dishonour itself by every action which does not become the stronger? Or can a man do everything which is proper in a woman? Which is appointed by nature to be the support of the other? MIN. Be not alarmed, Tellheim!... I shall not be quite unprotected, if I must decline the honour of your protection. I shall still have as much as is absolutely necessary. I have announced my arrival to our ambassador. I am to see him to-day. I hope he will assist me. Time is flying. Permit me, Major!!!!! MAJ. T. I will accompany you, Madam. MIN. No, Major; leave me. MAJ. T. Sooner shall your shadow desert you! Come Madam, where you will, to whom you will everywhere, to friends and strangers, will I repeat in your presence--repeat a hundred times each day--what a bond binds you to me, and with what cruel caprice you wish to break it!!!!! SCENE X. Just, Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska JUST. (impetuously). Major! Major! MAJ. T. Well! JUST. Here quick! quick! MAJ. T. Why! Come to me. Speak, what is the matter? JUST. What do you think? (Whispers to him.) MIN. (aside to Franziska). Do you notice anything, Franziska? FRAN. Oh! you merciless creature! I have stood here on thorns! MAJ. T. (to Just). What do you say?... That is not possible!... You? (Looking fiercely at Minna.) Speak it out; tell it to her face. Listen, Madam. JUST. The Landlord says, that Fraulein von Barnhelm has taken the ring which I pledged to him; she recognised it as her own, and would not return it. MAJ. T. Is that true, Madam? No, that cannot be true! MIN. (smiling). And why not, Tellheim? Why can it not be true? MAJ. T. (vehemently). Then it is true!... What terrible light suddenly breaks in upon me! ... Now I know you--false, faithless one! MIN. (alarmed). Who, who is faithless? MAJ. T. You, whom I will never more name! MIN. Tellheim! MAJ. T. Forget my name... You came here with the intention of breaking with me... It is evident!... Oh, that chance should thus delight to assist the faithless! It brought your ring into your possession. Your craftiness contrived to get my own back into mine! MIN. Tellheim, what visions are you conjuring up! Be calm, and listen to me. FRAN. (aside). Now she will catch it! SCENE XI. Werner (with a purse full of gold), Just, Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska WER. Here I am already, Major! MAJ. T. (without looking at him). Who wants you? WER. I have brought more money! A thousand pistoles! MAJ. T. I do not want them! WER. And to-morrow, Major, you can have as many more. MAJ. T. Keep your money! WER. It is your money, Major... I do not think you see whom you are speaking to! MAJ. T. Take it away! I say.