I am to blame, I know. Well, what’s hard is not therefore impossible. I’ll get you free. Perhaps---- CLARA. Get me free!--Read that! (_throwing him_ LEONARD’S _letter_). SEC. (_reading_). As cashier--your brother--thief--very sorry--I have no choice in view of my office. (_To_ CLARA.) Did he write that the day your mother died? Why, he goes on to express his sympathy at her sudden death! CLARA. Yes, he did. SEC. May he be--Dear God, the cats and snakes and other monsters that slipped through your fingers at the creation pleased Beelzebub, so that he made them after you. But he decked them out better than you did. He gave them human form. Now they stand shoulder to shoulder with mankind, and we don’t recognise them till they begin to spit and scratch. (_To_ CLARA.) Very good! Excellent! (_Tries to embrace her._) Come! For eternity. With this kiss---- CLARA (_sinks into his arms_). No, not for ever. Don’t let me fall,--but no kiss. SEC. Girl, you don’t love him, you’ve got your word back. CLARA (_dully, drawing herself up again_). And yet I must go to him; I must go down on my knees to him and stutter: “Look at my father’s white hairs; take me!” SEC. Unhappy one, do I understand? CLARA. Yes! SEC. That’s too much for any man. To have to lower one’s eyes before _him_--a fellow that’s only fit to be spat on. (_Pressing_ CLARA _to him_.) You poor, poor child! CLARA. Go, now go! SEC. (_to himself, broodingly_). Or shoot the dog dead that knows it. If he only had pluck! If he’d only show himself! Could I force him? I wouldn’t fear to meet him. CLARA. I beg you---- SEC. (_going out_). After dark! (_Turns round and seizes_ CLARA’S _hand_.) Girl, here you stand--(_Turning away._) Thousands of her sex would have cunningly concealed it, only to murmur it into one’s ear in some hour of sweet forgetfulness. I feel what I owe you. (_Goes out._) SCENE 6 CLARA (_alone_).