ately). Your own fault! You have brought mo to this!

PAUL (painfully). You have become unfeeling, Antoinette!

ANTOINETTE. I am simply no longer that stupid little creature that you
can wind around your finger as once upon a time. Do you still remember
that Christmas Eve, Doctor Warkentin?

PAUL. I remember it all, Antoinette. Why on that evening my life was
decided.

ANTOINETTE. So was mine. In this very hall. I sat at this very place
and you before me as now. There is such a thing as providence. I have
always believed in that! But now I see it with my own eyes. God in
heaven will not be mocked! On my knees I have prayed to him ...!

PAUL (frightened). Antoinette!

ANTOINETTE (furiously). On my knees I prayed for him to punish you.

PAUL. Toinette, you are mad! What awful injury did I inflict upon you?

ANTOINETTE (Scornfully). You upon me? Oh, none at all! Did you know
about me at all? You scorned me! What, that stupid little thing wants
me, the great man! Who am I and what is she! Off with her.

PAUL. Toinette!

ANTOINETTE (filled with hatred). Yes, off with her. And I did throw
myself away! I knew all the time it would spell misfortune for me if I
married this ... this man.

PAUL (starts up). Is that the way matters stand?

ANTOINETTE. Yes, indeed, that's the way they stand. I don't think of
making a secret of it. The whole world knows it. It is shouted from the
house-tops!

PAUL (clenches his fists). The dog!

ANTOINETTE. It's easy for you to use strong terms now. You hounded me
into it! I owe it all to you. But one consolation has remained for me.
I have become unhappy. But so are you! And that is why I have come.

PAUL (straightens up). What does this mean, Antoinette?

ANTOINETTE. Heavens! Simple enough! You do take an interest in the
woman that has been preferred to you. You would like to make the
acquaintance of such a marvel.

PAUL (offended). You are malicious, madam!

ANTOINETTE. Not at all. I only wanted to see, with my own eyes, how
happy you are. But I am quite sufficiently informed. One only needs to
take a look at you.

PAUL (painfully). Are you satisfied now?

ANTOINETTE (from the bottom of her heart). Yes.

PAUL. Are you compelled to detest me?

ANTOINETTE.
Do you expect me to thank you?

PAUL (fervently). Does it really make you happy to talk to me in this
manner, Antoinette?

ANTOINETTE. Happy or not, what I have vowed before the altar, I shall
not fail to keep.