iss me, my friend!... My
beloved!

PAUL. A thousand times over! (He kisses her.)

ANTOINETTE (returns his kisses). And _I_, _you_ a thousand times over!

PAUL. My dear, tell me that you love me!

ANTOINETTE (nestling up to him). You know I do, dear! ... Why have me
tell you?

PAUL (with folded hands). Please, please tell me!

ANTOINETTE. I do love you, Paul!

PAUL. Tell me again! I have never heard the word! Say it once more!

ANTOINETTE. I have always loved you, Paul!

PAUL. Always? Always? Always?

ANTOINETTE. Always!

PAUL. And I failed to realize it all!... Fool, fool, fool! (He moans
convulsively.)

ANTOINETTE (places her arms about him again). Don't think of it! Not
now!

PAUL. You are right, dear! Our time is short!

ANTOINETTE. Forget all! Forget! Forget!

PAUL. I _cannot_ forget! It was too long!

ANTOINETTE. Indeed it was long! But I knew that you would return.

PAUL. And you took the other man?

ANTOINETTE (sadly, but with a touch of roguishness). And _you_ the
other woman!

PAUL (startled). Do not remind me of it!

ANTOINETTE (endearingly). I took the other man while I was thinking of
you! I waited for you!

PAUL. Waited for me, and I was not conscious of it. Missed my
happiness. Staked my life for nothing! For a delusion! Some one had to
die before I could realize what I might have enjoyed! Too late, too
late, too late!

ANTOINETTE (endearingly). Forget, my love! Forget! Forget! Lay your
head upon my breast!

PAUL (places his head upon her bosom). A good resting place.

ANTOINETTE (rocks him in her arms). Sleep, beloved! Sleep!

PAUL, (straightens up, beside himself with longing). Antoinette!...

ANTOINETTE. Mine again, lover of my youth!

PAUL. Dearest!... Dearest!

ANTOINETTE. Cruel, cruel man!... Mine after tireless seeking.

PAUL. Idol of my heart!... Safe in my arms at last! (Pause. Rapturous
embrace.)

PAUL (straightens up and looks into her eyes). Is this still sinful,
sweetheart?

ANTOINETTE (nods gravely). Still! And will remain so.

PAUL (roguishly). Not to be forgiven?

ANTOINETTE (gravely). Not to be forgiven!

PAUL. And yet you consent, with all your piety?

ANTOINETTE. I do consent! I have no other choice! (She leans upon his
breast.)

PAUL (embraces her, then with a sad smile). _Never_ to be forgiven,
Antoinette?

ANTOINETTE (gently). Possibly! In heaven.

PAUL. Your God is inexorable, Antoinette.

ANTOINETTE (impassioned). You are my god