death to me, and prison to you. In this town my father is
supreme--the law is construed as he devises--safety for us lies in
flight!

LASSALLE. But my belongings!

HELENE. Your valet can attend to them.

LASSALLE. And I run away, flee?

HELENE. [_Trying to be gay_] Yes, with me.

LASSALLE. [_Exasperatingly cool_] It would be the first time I ever ran
away from danger.

HELENE. If you remain here you may never have another chance.

LASSALLE. You mean that your father or that little prince, Yanko, may do
me violence?

HELENE. No one can tell what my father may do in his present state of
mind.

LASSALLE. Then I will remain and see.

HELENE. [_In agony_] We are wasting time. Do you understand that as soon
as my absence is discovered, they will hunt for me--even now the police
may be notified!

LASSALLE. Let cowards and criminals run--we have done nothing of which
we need be ashamed.

HELENE. Surely not--but what more can I say! Oh, Ferdinand, my
Ferdinand!

LASSALLE. Listen to me----

[Knocking is heard at the door. She involuntarily moves toward him
for protection. He enfolds her in his arms just an instant. More
knocking and louder. Lassalle tenderly puts her away from him and
goes to the door, opens it. The landlord stands there with the
porter behind him.]

LANDLORD. [_Entering_] You will pardon me, Herr Lassalle--but the mother
and sister of the Fraulein are in the parlor below. They had spies
follow her--it is all a misunderstanding, I know. But the young lady
should--you will pardon me, both--should not be here with you. She will
have to go. I declared to her mother that she was not here; the porter
told her otherwise. The police are at the entrance, and you understand I
can not afford to have a scene. Will the Fraulein be so good as to go
below and meet her mother?

HELENE. My mother! I have no mother.

LANDLORD. You will excuse me if I insist.

[Lassalle starts toward the landlord as if he would throttle him.
Then bethinks himself and smiles.]

LASSALLE. Certainly, kind sir, she will go, and I will go with her. We
will excuse you now!

[Puts hands on shoulder and half-pushes landlord out of the door.
Closes door.]

HELENE. [_In terror_] What shall I do?

LASSALLE. Do? Why, there is only one thing to do--meet your mother and
sister. I will go, too. [_Adjusts his collar and puts on his vest and
coat_] There, I am ready--we go!

HELENE. You