Robert!—Heartless through and through as you are—you’re right this time. I’m with you, out of this place—That is, I’ll go with you a little way, not far, and now, now I’ve done with all of you—Yes, yes, now I’m—don’t speak!—now I’ve really done—absolutely—(_Robert looks at him astonished, and shrugs his shoulders. With increasing vehemence_) Don’t, don’t trouble yourself—it’s no good! You can’t do it—you can’t take me in with your harmless quiet. You’re in the right, but what has put you in the right, what has made you so clear-sighted? Shall I tell you? Jealousy—miserable _jealousy_—nothing else—simply pitiful malice!—You know very well that I should fight honestly—try to be a little worthier of her. You know very well that with her purity, this girl has power to purify me!—But you don’t want that! You don’t want to see me cleansed!—Why not?—Because you—you yourself must always be what you have been—because it is _me_ she loves, and never you! And so the whole evening you have shadowed me with your detective looks—for ever there to remind me you know me for what I am! Yes! You are right!—I am sin-stained through and through!—Nothing left of me is pure. Tainted, I have nothing in common with her innocence—and I am determined not to commit this crime. But you, Robert!—That makes you none the purer; give thanks that you no longer can feel shame! [_Robert during the last part of William’s speech has taken his things and gone towards the door. He stands, hand on the latch, as if going to speak. Thinks better of it, shrugs his shoulders resignedly, and goes out very quietly._ WILLIAM (_calling after him_). Robert! Robert! IDA (_coming from next room_). Whom are you calling? WILLIAM. Ah, it’s you. IDA. The doctor’s there, William, he says it is very serious, it— [_Voice of Mrs Scholz heard wailing, “My dear good husband. Ah!—ah, my dear kind husband!”_ WILLIAM. What have I done! What have I done now? IDA. It crushes my heart. I would like not to ask you—but something must—something’s the matter, Willy! WILLIAM. Nothing. I want to be out there in solitude again. That is where I should be. Our place is there, Ida. IDA. Why?—I can’t understand. WILLIAM (_hastily and violently_). Yes, yes, yes—the old story—: I don’t understand, I don’t understand!—Mother and father have spoken different languages all their lives; you don’t understand, you don’t _know_ me! You have stale schoolgirl illusions and I have nothing more to do with all that, only to hide away from you, hide—hide away, until there’s nothing of me but the miserable traitor and scoundrel— [_Ida, after looking dazed at William, bursts into tears._ WILLIAM.