Once I committed the folly of bringing a friend—nonsense! not a friend, a chance acquaintance, a musical fellow. I brought him here with me. That was quite refreshing for mother; she played duets with him every day for a whole week, and then—frightful!—as true as I’m here he—not the shadow of a possibility! Yet at the end of the week even the servants flung it in her face! IDA. Forgive me! I don’t—I—flung what? WILLIAM. Mother—mother was supposed to—my mother—supposed to—just think, they actually dared to accuse her of it openly, she—a secret understanding with—that she—I taxed her with it—the girl who said it—insolent—the coachman had told her. I went to the coachman, and he—he stuck to it—had it from the master, from the master himself—, naturally I—was it possible I could believe such a thing! At least I tried not to—until I myself overheard—in the stables—father and the stable boy—you may believe my very hands tingled when I heard him—about my mother. IDA. Only do be—try—don’t excite yourself so _fearfully_. You are quite— WILLIAM. I don’t know any more—I only know there is something in a man—his will is a mere wisp of straw. One must go through it to—It swept over me like a flood. A state like—and in this state I found myself suddenly in father’s room. I saw him. He was doing something—I can’t remember what. And then I—literally—I thrashed him—with these hands. [_He can scarcely hold himself up._ [_Ida dries the tears from her eyes. Pale and trembling she stands some moments looking at William, then, crying quietly, kisses him on the forehead._ WILLIAM. You angel of pity! (_The Doctor’s voice is heard on the stair._) And now—if ever— [_He braces himself, Ida kisses him again. He has gripped her hand. As the voice of the Doctor ceases, merry laughter is heard from room R._ WILLIAM (_alluding to the laughter, as well as to the Doctor’s step, heard descending the stairs_). You have a wonderful power. [_Another hand grip between them, and before Ida goes out she turns round._ IDA (_again seizing William’s hand at door_). Be brave. [_Exit._ DR SCHOLZ (_still on the stairs_). Eh! Nonsense! To the right, Friebe. Eh! My elbow! leave go, leave go! Confound you.