HELLA (calmly). I am waiting for an explanation from you. Since you will not give it to me of your own accord, I am compelled to get it. It seems to me I have a right to claim it. PAUL. You certainly have. HELLA (with folded arms). Please, then! PAUL. Hella, what is the purpose of this? You do know everything now! HELLA. I know nothing. I should like to find out from you. PAUL (gets up). Very well, then I will tell you. HELLA. I assume that the Polish woman is mixed up in this affair. PAUL. So you do know! Why in the world are you going to the trouble of asking me? HELLA. So it's really true? I am to stand aside for a little goose from the country! PAUL (starts up). A little goose from the country?... Hella, control your tongue! HELLA (walks up and down). If it were not so ridiculous, it would be exasperating! PAUL. The woman under discussion is not a little goose from the country, my dear, just as little as you are one from the city. HELLA. Thank you for your flattering comparison. PAUL. That woman has had her struggles and trials as much as you have, and in spite of it has remained a woman, which _you_ have _not_! HELLA (scornfully). Well, well. Are you now asserting your real nature? Are you throwing off the mask? Go on! Go on! PAUL (controls himself with an effort). That is all! I am only standing up for one who is dear to me! HELLA. Ha, ha! Dear! Today and tomorrow! PAUL. You are mistaken, Hella! I believe in Antoinette, and I shall not swerve from that. HELLA (with a sudden inspiration). Antoinette ... Antoinette ... Why that name ... PAUL. Let me assist you, Hella. Antoinette is the friend of my youth ... HELLA (nonplussed). The friend of your youth? PAUL, Indeed, Hella, I have known her longer than I have known you. HELLA. The one whom you were to marry once upon a time? Is it she? PAUL (sadly). Whom I was to marry, whom I refused on your account, Hella. HELLA. You met _her_ again here? PAUL. As Mrs. von Laskowski, yes, Hella! HELLA (starts for him, with a savage expression). And you kept that from me? PAUL. Why you did not give me a chance to speak, when I tried to tell you. HELLA. So that was the confidence you had! Well, of course, then, of course! PAUL. Oh, my confidence, Hella! Don't mention that. That had died long before! HELLA. To be deceived so shamefully. PAUL. Blame yourself! You have killed it systematically! HELLA. I? What else, pray tell! PAUL. Yes, by forever considering only yourself and never me! That could not help but stifle all my feelings in time. I fought against it as long as I could, Hella, but it had to come to an end some time. HELLA. And I went about without misgivings, while behind my back a conspiracy was forming ... PAUL (shrugging his shoulders). Who conspired?