If you would go. We might then remain with father, Robert would try once more to persuade his father, uncle Wilkens also would yield, and when you wear the bridal wreath a second time it would be even more becoming to you. MARY. I am to deceive my father, mother? In that case I believe no good could ever come to me again in this world. SOPHY. You would have the satisfaction of knowing that you went for his sake. Perhaps if, tomorrow, he must go forth into misery, or if they confine him in the tower, or if something still worse happens-- MARY. To father? SOPHY. Yes. Then you will think, perhaps too late: "Had I only gone!" MARY. But mother, if I were in the forest, and father should meet me? Or if he should find us together? SOPHY. We must ask him, whether he is going to stay home. MARY. I cannot look at him without feeling as if my heart were bursting. SOPHY. Ask him on account of the soup. MARY. I shall ask him at once. [_She approaches the_ FORESTER _timidly, stands next to him without his noticing her_.] SOPHY (_encouraging her_). Don't be a child. MARY (_softly_). Father! [_She bends over him, beside herself with pity_.] Father, poor father! [_Is going to embrace him_.] FORESTER (_looking about, roughly_). What's the matter? No lamentations! SOPHY (_as_ MARY _stands disconcerted_). Mary-- MARY (_controls herself_). Are you again going into the forest tonight? FORESTER. Why? MARY. Because-- SOPHY (_interrupts, for fear_ MARY _might tell the truth_). Because of the soup; she wants to know whether she is to warm it. FORESTER. No. And what are you waiting for, you silly wench? [_Turns away. As_ MARY _hesitates, calls out roughly_.] Do you hear? MARY (_goes back to_ SOPHY). Mother, he has been crying! I saw a tear hanging on his eye-lash, mother! And I am about to deceive him! SOPHY. He is crying because in his old age he has to go forth into misery.--And as to you--why, you are not obliged to go. MARY. If you speak in that way, mother!--I am going. SOPHY. Then say good-night to him. It is time. Afterward I shall help you climb out of the window. At this moment Robert is already waiting. You can be back soon. MARY. Yes, mother, I will go. But not for Robert's sake, mother, nor for mine; only for father's sake. I will tell him: "Robert," I will say to him, "you will yet find a girl, more beautiful and better than myself, but my father will not find another child, if I leave him." I will tell him: "Robert," I will say to him, "I will forget you! God will give me strength that I may be able to forget you. Remain away from me, so that I may not see you again." God will help me, mother, will he not? He will, for I did love Robert so much. SOPHY. Now go. Say good-night and don't betray yourself. [MARY _stands by the_ FORESTER.] SOPHY. Mary wants to say good-night to you. FORESTER. Can't you say it yourself, silly thing? MARY (_mastering her emotion_). Good-night, father. FORESTER.