MARGARET. For heaven's sake, is that true? (Quickly turns over the leaves of GILBERT'S book.) Yes, it is! Oh, it's just as if we told the whole world that we had ... Oh, good gracious ...! (Excitedly turning over the leaves.) You don't mean to tell me you put in the one I wrote you the morning after the first night ... GILBERT. Of course I did--it was really brilliant. MARGARET. But that's too dreadful! It'll be a European scandal. And Clement ... heavens! I'm beginning to wish that he may not come back. I'm lost--and you with me! Wherever you go, he'll know how to find you--he'll shoot you down like a mad dog! GILBERT (puts his book in his pocket). A comparison in very poor taste. MARGARET. How came you by that insane idea? The letters of a woman whom you professed to love ...! It's easy to see that you are no gentleman. GILBERT. Oh, that's too amusing! Didn't you do exactly the same thing? MARGARET. I am a woman. GILBERT. You remember it now! MARGARET. It is true--I have nothing to boast of over you. We are worthy of each other. Yes ... Clement was right; we are worse than the women at the Ronacher who exhibit themselves in tights. Our most hidden bliss, our sorrows, all ... given to the world ... Bah! I loathe myself! Yes, we two belong together--Clement would be quite right to drive me from him. (Suddenly.) Come, Amandus! GILBERT. What are you going to do? MARGARET. I accept your proposal. GILBERT. Proposal? What proposal? MARGARET. I'll fly with you! (Looks about for her hat and cloak.) GILBERT. What are you thinking of? MARGARET (very much excited, puts her hat on with decision). It may all be as it was before--so you said just now. It needn't be the Isar ... Well, I'm ready. GILBERT. But this is perfectly crazy! Fly with me ...? What would be the use of that? Didn't you say yourself that he would know how to find me wherever I went? If you were with me, he would find you too. It would be a great deal more sensible for each of us alone ... MARGARET. You wretch! Would you abandon me now? And a few minutes ago you were on your knees to me! Have you no shame? GILBERT. What is there to be ashamed of? I am an ailing, nervous man ... I am subject to moods ... (MARGARET, at window, utters a loud cry.) What's the matter? What will the general's widow think of me? MARGARET. There he is! He's coming! GILBERT. In that case ... MARGARET. What--you're going? GILBERT. I didn't come hero with the intention of calling on the Baron. MARGARET. He'll meet you on the stairs--that would be worse still! Stay where you are--I refuse to be the only victim. GILBERT. Don't be a fool! Why are you trembling so? He can't have read both novels. Control yourself--take off your hat. Put your cloak away. (Helps her to take her things off.) If he finds you in this state, he'll be bound to suspect ... MARGARET. It's all one to me--as well now as later. I can't endure to wait for the horror--I'll tell him everything at once. GILBERT. Everything?