Norbert _enters_. Norbert. Uncle Michael, what is the matter with Aunt Beata? The doctor is with her, and Ellen has been called---- Kellinghausen. Nothing serious. Don't be alarmed. (_Takes his hand_.) Norbert, your father and I were just talking of last evening. You remember that stupid business interrupted our talk, and we never heard the end of your argument. Let us have it now. Sit down--sit down, Richard. (_They all seat themselves_.) There was one phrase of yours that struck me. You said--you said--that if---- Richard. You said that if a man of honour has injured another and is called on to atone for it, he is the best judge of his own punishment. Norbert (_laughing_). Did I? Very likely--but my head is so full of other things just now that I couldn't swear to it. Kellinghausen. That was not quite what I meant; but no matter. Suppose we take such a case. If the injured person says: "One of us two must die"--what ought the other to answer? Norbert. Why, Uncle Michael, I should say that depended on the nature of the injury--doesn't it? Richard. Let us say, for the sake of argument, that the wrong is the gravest that one man can do another; let us say he has seduced his friend's wife. Has the husband a right to the other man's life? Norbert. Why, father--there can be but one answer to that. And if the other man is a man of honour--though I don't see how he could be, do you?--he would be more eager to give his life than the husband could possibly be to take it. Richard. H'm. Perhaps you're right. Thank you, my boy. Norbert. Uncle Michael, at what time to-morrow may I see you? Kellinghausen. I'll send you word, Norbert. Norbert. Thanks. Don't make it too late, will you? Don't keep me waiting too long. Good-bye. Good-bye, father. (_Goes out_.) Richard. Well--are you satisfied? Kellinghausen. You put the question in a way that suggests suicide. That was not---- Richard. It is your own choice. All I ask is two days' respite. You won't refuse it? (Kellinghausen _shrugs his shoulders_.) Good-bye. (_Goes out_.) Curtain. ACT IV ACT IV