The King. I know that. You have not condescended to answer one of my letters-- Clara. I have not read them. The King.--so there was nothing left for me but to address myself to the Baroness. She was _obliged_ to listen to me, Miss Ernst. Clara (trembling). What has your Majesty to say to me? The King. Indeed, I can't tell it you in a single sentence. Won't you sit down? (CLARA remains standing.) You must not be afraid of me. I mean you no harm; I never could mean you any harm. Clara (in tears). Then what do you call the persecution that I have endured for more than a year? The King. If you had condescended to read a single one of my long and many letters you would have known I call it a passion that is stronger than--. (CLARA turns to go. The KING continues anxiously.) No, Miss Ernst, by everything you hold dear, I beg you not to leave me! Clara. Then you must not insult me! The King. If that is an insult your terms are very hard. Clara. Hard? No, but what you have done to me is hard! (Bursts into tears.) The King. Don't cry, Miss Ernst! You don't know how you hurt me! Clara (angrily). Do you know what it means to try and ruin a young girl's reputation? The King. I repeat that you are doing me an injustice Clara. An injustice?--Good God! Do you know who I am? The King (taking of his hat respectfully). You are the woman I love. Clara (quietly and with dignity). Your Majesty has solemnly promised not to insult me. The King. As sure as there is a heaven above us I will not, and could not, insult you! But I will obey your wishes. Clara. When a king says such a thing as--as you did just now, to a poor little governess, it is more than an insult! It is so cowardly, so base! And to think that you could have the heart to do it after what you have done to my father! The King. Your father?--I? Clara. Do you really not know who I am? The King I don't understand-- Clara. Whose daughter I am, I mean? The King. I only know that your father's name is Ernst. (Suddenly.) Surely your father is not--? Clara. Professor Ernst. The King. The republican? Clara (slowly). Yes. (A pause.) I may remind your Majesty that he was sentenced for high treason. And why? Because he warned the young men at the university against the bad example set by the King! (A pause.) He was sentenced to a long term of imprisonment. In escaping from his prison he broke both his legs; and now he lives in exile--a cripple--supported by what money I am able to earn. (A pause.) You have ruined his life--and now you are trying to ruin mine too! The King. I beg of you--! Clara. I am ashamed of my tears. It is not compassion for myself or for my father that makes them flow; it is the heartless injustice of it all that overcomes me. The King. God knows, if only I could atone for the injustice--! But what can I do? Clara. You can let me alone, so that I may do my work in peace; that is what you can do! Neither he nor I ask for more than that--of you!