FRIEDRICH (_rises importantly_): Erna, answer me. What relationship existed between you and the Count? RITA (_laughs_): What business is that of yours? FRIEDRICH (_solemnly_): Erna! Whatever it might have been, this will not do any longer. RITA (_gaily_): No, no; you see it is already ended. FRIEDRICH: No, Erna, that must all be ended. You must get out of all this--entirely--and forever. RITA (_looks at him surprised and inquiringly_): Hm! Strange person. FRIEDRICH (_grows more eager and walks up and down in the room_): Such a life is immoral. You must recognize it. Yes, and I forbid you to live on in this fashion. I have the right to demand it of you. RITA (_interrupts him sharply_): Demand? You demand something of me? FRIEDRICH: Yes, indeed, demand! Not for me--no--in the name of morals. That which I ask of you is simply a moral demand, do you understand, a moral demand, which must be expected of every woman. RITA: "Must!" And why? FRIEDRICH: Because--because--because--well, dear me--because--otherwise everything will stop! RITA: What will stop? Life? FRIEDRICH: No, but morals. RITA: Ah, I thank you. Now I understand you. One must be moral because--otherwise morality will stop. FRIEDRICH: Why, yes. That is very simple. RITA: Yes--now, please, what would I have to do in order to fulfill your demand? I am curious like a child now, and shall listen obediently. (_She sits down again._) FRIEDRICH (_also sits down and grasps her hand, warmly_): Well, see, my dear Erna, everything can still be undone. In Rudolstadt everybody believes you are in England with relatives. Even if you have never been there---- RITA: Often enough. My best engagements. FRIEDRICH: So much the better. Then you certainly speak English? RITA: Of course. FRIEDRICH: And you are acquainted with English customs. Excellent. Oh, Erna. Your father will be pleased, he once confessed to me, when he had a little too much wine. You know him: he grows sentimental then. RITA (_to herself_): They are all that way. FRIEDRICH: How? RITA: Oh, nothing. Please continue. Well--I could come back? FRIEDRICH: Certainly! Fortunately, during these last years, since you have grown so famous, nobody has---- RITA: I have grown notorious only within a year. FRIEDRICH: Well, most likely nobody in Rudolstadt has ever seen you on the boards. In one word, you _must_ return. RITA: From England? FRIEDRICH: Yes, nothing lies in the way. And your mother will be overjoyed. RITA: Nay, nay. FRIEDRICH: How well that you have taken a different name. RITA: Ah, that is it. Yes, I believe that. Then they know that I am Rita Revera. FRIEDRICH: I wrote them. They will receive you with open arms. Erna! I beg of you! I entreat you; come with me! It is still time. To-day. You cannot know, but anybody from Rudolstadt who knows might come to the theatre and----