No, Cecilia, we did _not_ imagine it. The remarkable thing has been that we retained our faith in each other in the midst of all doubts, and that, even when away from each other, we used to feel calm and confident far beyond what was safe, I suppose. But it was splendid. Separation itself used to have a sort of charm of its own--_formerly_. CECILIA Naturally. It isn't possible to love in that undisturbed fashion except when you are miles apart. AMADEUS You may be able to make fun of it to-day, Cecilia, but there will never again be anything like it--neither for you nor for me. You can be sure of that. CECILIA I know that as well as you do.--But why should you all at once begin to talk as if, somehow, everything would be over between us two, and as if the best part of our life had been irretrievably lost? That's not the case, after all. It cannot possibly be the case. Both of us know that we remain the same as before--don't we--and that everything else that has happened to us, or may happen to us, can be of no particular importance.... And even if it should become important, we shall always be able to join hands, no matter what chasms open between us. AMADEUS You speak very sensibly, as usual. CECILIA If you seduce ladies by the dozen, and if gentlemen shoot each other dead for my sake--as they do for the sake of Countess Philine--what has that to do with our friendship? AMADEUS That's beyond contradiction. Nevertheless, I hadn't expected--in fact, I think it nothing less than admirable--your ability to adjust yourself to everything--your way of remaining perfectly calm in the midst of any new experiences or expectations. CECILIA Calm...? Here I am ... by our fireplace ... taking tea in your company. Here I can and shall always be calm. That's the significance of our whole life in common. Whatever may be my destiny in the world at large will slip off me when I enter here. All the storms are on the outside. AMADEUS That's more than you can be sure of, Cecilia. Things might happen that would weigh more heavily on you than you can imagine at this moment. CECILIA I shall always have the strength to throw off things according to my will before I come to you. And if that strength should ever fail me, I shall come to the door and no farther. AMADEUS Oh, no, you mustn't! That would not be in keeping with our agreement. It is just when life grows heavy that I'll be here to help you bear it. CECILIA Who knows whether you will always be ready to do so? AMADEUS Always--on my oath! No matter what befall you, whether it be sad or wretched, you can always find refuge and sympathy with me. But with all my heart I wish you may be spared most of those things. CECILIA