Paul?

PAUL. No, not now, Auntie! Later! I need a little rest! Will you soon
be through?

AUNT CLARA. Directly, my boy!... (To LENE.) Hurry now! There is plenty
of work ahead!

PAUL (subdued). Leave me alone for a little while, Auntie!

AUNT CLARA (understanding him). I'll be going, Paul!

[LENE and FRITZ have completed their work and go out at the
right.]

AUNT CLARA (in an undertone, as she goes toward the right). Have a good
chat, Paul!

PAUL (seriously). No occasion!

[AUNT CLARA goes off at the left. One can hear her, as she closes
the door on the left. Silence.]

PAUL (stands undecided for a moment, then he slowly walks over to the
row of oleanders, where ANTOINETTE sits leaning back in a chair at the
sofa table with her hands pressed to her face. He looks at her for a
long while, then softly says). Antoinette!

ANTOINETTE (moans to herself, without stirring). My God!... My God!

PAUL (places his hand on the crown of her head). You poor ... poor
child! (He sits down in the chair beside her, takes her hand which she
surrenders to him passively, presses it and tenderly kisses it,
saying). Sweet ... sweet Toinette!

[ANTOINETTE covers her face with her left hand while PAUL
continues to hold her right hand. She is breathing convulsively.]

PAUL (looks at her with devotion, closes his hands nervously). I fairly
worship you! (Continues to look at her, then says.) Won't you look at
me, Antoinette? (He gently removes her hand from her face.) Please,
please, Toinette! Let me see your eyes! Just let me see your eyes! (He
stoops down over her.)

ANTOINETTE (sinks upon his breast, putting her arms around his neck).
Dearest!... Dearest Paul!

PAUL (embraces her impetuously). Sweetheart!... Now you are mine!...
Sweetheart! (Continuing in a silent, fervent embrace. Pause.)

ANTOINETTE (startled, and tries to withdraw from him). God! Great
God!... What have I done?

PAUL (holds her and embraces her again). No retreat, Antoinette. No
retreat is possible!

ANTOINETTE (beside herself). Let me go, Paul!

PAUL. I shall not let you go, Toinette. And if it is a matter of life
and death.

ANTOINETTE (with a slight outcry). Paul!

PAUL, (presses her to him firmer than ever). Do you want the people to
come in? Then call them! Let them find us!

ANTOINETTE (on his breast). I had an intimation of this.

PAUL. Did you? You too?

ANTOINETTE. Both of us, Paul! (In rapture.) K