I am convinced—I am sorry to say it—that nothing could alter it in any way whatever. THE BURGOMASTER On the other hand, if he refuses to obey, do you, Isabelle, fully realize the consequences? He will at once be arrested and shot by my side. That is so, Otto, is it not? OTTO There is not the least doubt of it. THE BURGOMASTER Is that what you wish, Isabelle? He will die at the same time that I do. ISABELLE And at the same time that I do. THE BURGOMASTER It is not sure that they will permit you to die with us. ISABELLE It would certainly be the first time that they had spared a woman. You need have no fear on that score. In any case, this is my affair; and we need say no more about that. THE BURGOMASTER Do you accept, Otto? OTTO I accept, in so far as I am concerned, that is to say, I shall refuse to obey; but I do not agree to letting my death involve Isabelle’s. THE BURGOMASTER Therefore, by ordering you to disobey, Isabelle is sending you to face the firing-party. She has no right to do that, unless she is absolutely determined not to survive you. If a woman deliberately and of her own free will—for that is what you are doing, Isabelle—sends a man to his death and does not go with him, after explicitly promising to share his fate, then she is guilty of one of the most odious and cowardly acts of treachery which she could possibly commit. Reflect, both of you. It is a question of taking, in my presence, a solemn and irrevocable pledge. ISABELLE I have thought it all out. The pledge is taken. THE BURGOMASTER Then Otto will die in an hour’s time and you with him? Is that exactly what you wish? ISABELLE It is exactly what I wish and all that I wish. THE BURGOMASTER Do you accept, Otto? OTTO I accept, since Isabelle wishes it. (_A pause._) THE BURGOMASTER