uttercups. In the divine chemistry the very garbage turns
to roses. But in the supreme moment my faith was found wanting. You came
to me--and I thrust you away.

VERA
I ought not to have come to you.... I ought not to have come to you
to-day. We must not meet again.

DAVID
Ah, you cannot forgive me!

VERA
Forgive? It is I that should go down on my knees for my father's sin.
[_She is half-sinking to her knees. He stops her by a gesture and
a cry._]

DAVID
No! The sins of the fathers shall not be visited on the children.

VERA
My brain follows you, but not my heart. It is heavy with the sense of
unpaid debts--debts that can only cry for forgiveness.

DAVID
You owe me nothing----

VERA
But my father, my people, my country....
[_She breaks down. Recovers herself._]
My only consolation is, you need nothing.

DAVID [_Dazed_]
I--need--nothing?

VERA
Nothing but your music ... your dreams.

DAVID
And your love? Do I not need that?

VERA [_Shaking her head sadly_]
No.

DAVID
You say that because I have forfeited it.

VERA
It is my only consolation, I tell you, that you do not need me. In our
happiest moments a suspicion of this truth used to lacerate me. But now
it is my one comfort in the doom that divides us. See how you stand up
here above the world, alone and self-sufficient. No woman could ever
have more than the second place in your life.

DAVID
But you have the _first_ place, Vera!

VERA [_Shakes her head again_]
No--I no longer even desire it. I have gotten over that womanly
weakness.

DAVID
You torture me. What do you mean?

VERA
What can be simpler? I used to be jealous of your music, your prophetic
visions. I wanted to come first--before them all! Now, dear David, I
only pray that they may fill your life to the brim.

DAVID
But they cannot.

VERA
They will--have faith in yourself, in your mission--good-bye.

DAVID [_Dazed_]
You love me and you leave me?

VERA
What else can I do? Shall the shadow of Kishineff hang over all your
years to come? Shall I kiss you and leave blood upon your lips, cling to
you and be pushed away by all those cold, dead hands?

DAVID [_Taking both her hands_]
Yes, cling to me, despite them all, cling to me till all these ghosts
are exorcised, cling to me till our love triumphs over death. Kiss me,
kiss me now.

VERA [_Resisting, drawing back_]
I dare not! It will make you remember.

DAVID
It will make me forget. Kiss me.