Ebeling (_breathing heavily_). Except that man, there is only one other. Frau v. Yburg. (_Stares at him uncomprehendingly with her hands clasped, then stammering._) Oh! oh, God! What a joy that would be! Ebeling. What more can I say? Such things come and grow great in a man, one knows not how. She bore _her_ sorrow, _her_ shame, I mine. At first, perhaps, it was no more than a casual fancy--no, an interest, for my inclinations were always involved--but to-day it has become a passion, a passion that, lonely man as I am, gnaws me to the very core of my being. Frau v. Yburg. But how have you managed through it all to keep so quiet, so deliberate, so----? Ebeling. One learns, little by little, to be master of oneself. And five minutes ago there was absolutely no hope, (_bursting out_) but if she no longer wants him--why shouldn't I--oh! (_Hides his face in his hand, trembling with emotion._) Frau v. Yburg. Wait! I don't see, after you've led him on to this point, how you'll ever justify all this to Baron von Kanoldt. Ebeling. I don't know! Until now, I've led a tolerably respectable life. For, in the disgrace that _she_ (_pointing to the picture of his wife_) brought upon me, I played no part. Frau v. Yburg. Oh, yes, everyone in society knows that. Ebeling. But I haven't once asked myself whether what I am now going to do--or should like to do--conforms to the prevailing standards of propriety. One ought to think it over, to let some time elapse--in short, I don't know! All I can say is that if she doesn't want him, if she won't take that--(_checking himself_)--him, well, then, the path is open to any one--to me as well as to another. Frau v. Yburg (_hesitating_). I feel that I ought to warn you of just one thing more. She has never seemed to consider you as anything more than a fatherly sort of friend. Ebeling. H'm! (_Laughs bitterly._) Even though I'm a couple of years younger than----, I've certainly acted more like a father to her. But you're probably right. (_Knocking._) Come in. (Bonath _enters._) Bonath. I've let the clerks go home. Have you any further orders, Herr Ebeling? Ebeling. You can go, too, Bonath. But tell my man to answer the door. Bonath. Very well, Herr Ebeling. Good evening. (Bonath _goes out._) Ebeling. Frau von Yburg, your daughter will return in a few minutes. Meanwhile, the scene has changed not altogether insignificantly. Do you still approve of that little private heart to heart talk--or not? Frau v. Yburg.