Don't misunderstand me, Johanna. That's no reason why you should be tied to me for all time. When we get back, we can bid each other good-by--without the least ado. It is a very simple matter. For all your dreams cannot be fulfilled by me--I know that very well.... You need not give me an answer at once. Hours like these turn too easily into words that are not true the next day. And I hope I may never hear you speak one word of that kind. JOHANNA (_who has been looking at Sala as if she wanted to drink up every one of his words_) No, I am not saying anything--I am not saying anything. SALA (_looking long at her_) You are going to think it over, and you'll let me know to-morrow morning? JOHANNA Yes. (_She looks long at him_) SALA What is the matter? JOHANNA Nothing.--Until to-morrow. Farewell. (_He accompanies her to the garden gate, through which she disappears_) SALA (_comes back and stands looking into the pool_) Just as if I wanted to find her image in it.... What could it be that moved her so deeply?... Happiness?... No, it wasn't happiness.... Why did she look at me like that? Why did she seem to shrink? There was something in her glance like a farewell forever. (_He makes a sudden movement as of fright_) Has it come to that with me?... But how can she know?... Then others must know it too...! (_He stands staring into space; then he ascends the terrace slowly and goes into the drawing-room, from which he returns a few moments later accompanied by Julian_) JULIAN And you want to leave all these splendors so soon? SALA They'll be here when I come back, I hope. JULIAN I hope you will, for the sake of both of us. SALA You say that rather distrustingly.... JULIAN Well, yes--I am thinking of that remarkable article in the Daily Post. SALA Concerning what? JULIAN What is going on at the Caspian Sea. SALA Oh, are the local papers also taking that up? JULIAN The conditions in certain regions through which you have to pass seem really to be extremely dangerous. SALA Exaggerations. We have better information than that. According to my opinion there is nothing back of those articles but the petty jealousy of English scientists. What you read had been translated from the Daily News. And it's fully three weeks since it appeared there.--Have you seen Felix, by the way? JULIAN He was at my house only last night. And this morning I called on the Wegrats. He wanted to have a look at that picture of his mother which I painted twenty-three years ago.--And one thing and another led to my telling him everything. SALA Oh, you did? (_Thoughtfully_) And how did he take it? JULIAN It stirred him rather more than I had thought possible. SALA Well, I hope you didn't expect him to fall into your arms as the recovered son does in the play. JULIAN