Assume that I am!... If I should remain also, for your sake?
(She stands before him erectly.)

PAUL (furiously). Don't jest, Hella! It is not the proper moment!

HELLA. I am certainly not jesting! I am your wife! I shall keep you
company. _Aren't_ you pleased with that?

PAUL (straightens up). The dead man stands between us, as you have
said. Very well, let that be final! You have wished it so! The bond
between us is broken. We have come to the parting of our ways. (He goes
to the left, opens the door and walks out slowly. Deep twilight has set
in.)

HELLA (stands rigidly and whispers to herself). To the parting of our
ways? (Waking up, with a wild defiance.) If I _consent_, I say!... If I
consent!

[ILLUSTRATION: SHEEP]

ACT V

A room in the garden house. The door in the background leads out-doors.
There are windows at both sides of the door and also in the right wall.
They all look out upon the garden, but are draped with long, heavy
curtains. On the left a door leads into the bedroom. On the same side
farther back a tile stove. A divan, table and chair, very near the
stove. Bookshelves along the walls. The general impression is that of
simple comfort.

It is evening, a short time after the preceding act. A lamp is burning
on the table and lights up the no more than fair-sized cozy room.

INSPECTOR ZINDEL appears in the open door at the background.
Before him stands PAUL.

PAUL. As I was saying, have the bay saddled in case I should still want
to take a ride.

INSPECTOR ZINDEL. Very well, sir! Immediately?

PAUL. In about thirty minutes.

INSPECTOR ZINDEL. Shall the coachman bring out the bay or will you come
to the stable?

PAUL. Have it brought out! Good-by. (He comes back into the room.)

INSPECTOR ZINDEL. Good night, sir! (He withdraws and closes the door
behind him.)

[PAUL walks up and down excitedly several times. He seems to be
in a violent struggle with himself, sometimes listens for
something outside, shakes his head, groans deeply, finally throws
himself on the divan and crosses his arms under his head. Short
pause.]

HELLA (opens the door in the background, enters and looks around). Are
you here, Paul? (She has thrown a shawl around her.)

PAUL (jumps up, disappointed). Hella, you? (Sits down.)

HELLA (approaches). Yes, it is I, Hella! Who else? Were you expecting
some one else?

PAUL (painfully). Why do you still insist upon coming? Don't m