Beata! Beata! What can I say? What can I say? You know how I've always tried to keep our feeling for each other within the bounds--the bounds of-- You know how it was twelve years ago--when I found myself gradually slipping into intimacy with him, I came to you and said: "Either this thing ends here, or I tell him everything. I won't take his hand and play the sneak. If I do, we shall lose our respect for each other as well as our self-respect." And then we hit on this friendship as a way out of it--a way of not losing each other altogether. It wasn't a very honourable solution--but this--this new sacrifice--if I accept this--God! If Holtzmann were to come in now and tell me the other man has won, what a load he would take off my mind! Beata. Richard--how can you? Richard. Think of it: To-morrow I shall have to make that speech. My position, my convictions, compel me to appear as the spokesman of the highest ideals--and all the while I shall owe my seat to the friend whose holiest ties I have trampled on---- Beata. And if they were not the holiest----? Richard (_startled_). Beata! Beata. Don't turn from me. I've loved you so long! Richard (_clasps her hands_). One thing more. Listen to me. You played too reckless a game. Such things are avenged. No one knows what happened in the past. Twelve years have covered it; but it's ill disturbing the dead. Such things are avenged. Remember that. Beata. Well--and what of it? Richard. What of it? Beata. I shouldn't care--except for Norbert and Ellen. For I mean them to have all the happiness we have missed. Nothing must ever come between-- Hush! That is Holtzmann's voice. (_She presses her left hand to her heart_.) Quite steady. (_She holds out her right hand to_ Richard.) Feel my pulse it's perfectly steady. Conrad _enters_. Conrad. Herr Holtzmann---- _Enter_ Holtzmann. Conrad _goes out_. Holtzmann (_bowing quietly_). We have a majority of twenty votes, Baron. Here are the final returns. (_Hands telegram to_ Richard.) Richard. Official? Holtzmann. Virtually. As your co-worker, Baron, allow me to offer my congratulations. (Richard _turns away without speaking_.) Beata. You see how overcome he is, dear Herr Holtzmann. Thank you with all my heart. (_Gives him her hand_.) Holtzmann (_turning to leave the room_). Good-afternoon, Countess. Richard. Holtzmann! (Holtzmann _pauses_.) You've fought a good fight. Holtzmann.