It will look as if she'd returned--and we'd--somehow--met here. Pierre. Do you think any one is going to believe that? Wittich (_proudly_). What else should they believe? Julia (_frightened anew_). Oh, but I don't want to! I don't want to do that! Pierre! I want to stay with you! I am under your protection, Pierre! Pierre. See here, my dear sir, let us suppose that your plan is successful--what then? Julia. Yes--yes--afterward--what then? Wittich. Then?--Then-- (_Looks from one to the other, uncertainly, almost imploringly, and breaks down again._) Pierre. Well--won't you go on with your proposition? Wittich. Yes, I suppose that when a man has acted as I have acted here, he must have lost--his sense of pride--and honour--and all the rest of it--long ago.--Then nothing is left him but--his duty.--And the thing that seems to me my--duty--I am going to do.--Let the Count sneer at me--I no longer---- Pierre. Oh, please--I say! Wittich. Well, then, let me tell you something, Julia. After I had read the letter from Brussels, I had two rooms prepared for you--in the left wing--quite apart; so that some day, in case--you ever--came back-- Oh, well--it doesn't matter now. But the rooms--are--still there--and if you would like to come home with me now--straight off--well, you might be spared--some annoyance. Pierre. H'm--so you're willing--? (_Shrugs his shoulders and laughs._) I suppose that sort of thing is all a matter of taste--but I can understand---- Wittich. I am speaking to you, Julia. Julia. Oh, I thank you most heartily, George. It's certainly very noble of you--and--I deeply appreciate it. But after--this, I should always feel ashamed before you--I should feel that I was just being tolerated--I-- No. Thank you, George--but I couldn't stand it. Pierre (_correcting her_). That is--! (_Aside to_ Julia.) Don't be a fool! Wittich (_without noticing_ Pierre). You shall never hear a word of reproach from my lips, Julia, dear. Julia. But--if I should actually accept--we never could go on as we did before, you know. I must be free to do exactly as I please--to go away--come back--just as I like. There is such a thing as the sovereignty of the individuality, my dear George--you can't deny that. Pierre. Herr Wittich can't possibly deny that! Wittich. You shall have your own way as far as it lies in my power, Julia, dear. Julia.