RITA: Not more than was in me. FRIEDRICH: One thing I must confess to you, although it was really bad of me. But I knew no way out of it. I felt relieved after you had gone. RITA: Well, then, that was _your_ heroism. FRIEDRICH: Do not misunderstand me. I knew my father had---- RITA: Yes, yes--but do not talk about it any more. FRIEDRICH: You are right. It was boyish of me. It did not last long, and then I mourned for you--not less than your parents. Oh, Erna! If you would see your parents now. They have aged terribly. Your father has lost his humor altogether, and is giving full vent to his old passion for red wine. Your mother is always ailing, hardly ever leaves the house, and both, even though they never lose a word about it, cannot reconcile themselves to the thought that their only child left them. RITA (_after a pause, awakens from her meditation, harshly_): Perhaps you were sent by my father? FRIEDRICH: No--why? RITA: Then I would show you the door. FRIEDRICH: Erna! RITA: A man, who ventured to pay his debts with me---- FRIEDRICH: How so; what do you mean? RITA: Oh--let's drop that. Times were bad. But to-day the house of Hattenbach enjoys its good old standing, as you say, and has overcome the crisis. Then your father must have had some consideration--without me. Well, then.----And Rudolstadt still stands--on the old spot. That's the main thing. But now let us talk about something else, I beg of you. FRIEDRICH: No, no, Erna. What you allude to, that----do you really believe my father had---- RITA: Your father had grown used to buy and attain everything in life through money. Why not buy me also? And he had already received the promise--not from me, but from my father. But I am free! I ran away and am my own mistress! (_With haughtiness._) A young girl, all alone! Down with the gang! (_Friedrich is silent and holds his head._) RITA (_steps up to him and touches his shoulder, in a friendly manner_): Don't be sad. At that time your father was the stronger, and----Life is not otherwise. After all, one must assert oneself. FRIEDRICH: But he robbed you of your happiness. RITA (_jovially_): Who knows? It is just as well. FRIEDRICH (_surprised_): Is that possible? Do you call that happiness, this being alone? RITA: Yes. That is MY happiness--my freedom, and I love it with jealousy, for I fought for it myself. FRIEDRICH (_bitterly_): A great happiness! Outside of family ties, outside the ranks of respectable society. RITA (_laughs aloud, but without bitterness_): Respectable society! Yes. I fled from that--thank Heaven. (_harshly_) But if you do not come in the name of my father, what do you want here? Why do you come? For what purpose? What do you want of me? FRIEDRICH: Erna, you ask that in a strange manner. RITA: Well, yes. I have a suspicion that you--begrudge me my liberty. How did you find me, anyway? FRIEDRICH: Yes, that was hard enough. RITA: Rita Revera is not so unknown.