our sorrows, all ... given to the world ... Bah! I loathe
myself! Yes, we two belong together--Clement would be quite right to
drive me from him. (Suddenly.) Come, Amandus!

GILBERT. What are you going to do?

MARGARET. I accept your proposal.

GILBERT. Proposal? What proposal?

MARGARET. I'll fly with you! (Looks about for her hat and cloak.)

GILBERT. What are you thinking of?

MARGARET (very much excited, puts her hat on with decision). It may
all be as it was before--so you said just now. It needn't be the Isar
... Well, I'm ready.

GILBERT. But this is perfectly crazy! Fly with me ...? What would be
the use of that? Didn't you say yourself that he would know how to find
me wherever I went? If you were with me, he would find you too. It
would be a great deal more sensible for each of us alone ...

MARGARET. You wretch! Would you abandon me now? And a few minutes ago
you were on your knees to me! Have you no shame?

GILBERT. What is there to be ashamed of? I am an ailing, nervous man
... I am subject to moods ... (MARGARET, at window, utters a loud cry.)
What's the matter? What will the general's widow think of me?

MARGARET. There he is! He's coming!

GILBERT. In that case ...

MARGARET. What--you're going?

GILBERT. I didn't come hero with the intention of calling on the Baron.

MARGARET. He'll meet you on the stairs--that would be worse still! Stay
where you are--I refuse to be the only victim.

GILBERT. Don't be a fool! Why are you trembling so? He can't have read
both novels. Control yourself--take off your hat. Put your cloak away.
(Helps her to take her things off.) If he finds you in this state,
he'll be bound to suspect ...

MARGARET. It's all one to me--as well now as later. I can't endure to
wait for the horror--I'll tell him everything at once.

GILBERT. Everything?

MARGARET. Yes, as long as you're here. If I come out honestly and
confess everything, he may forgive me.

GILBERT. And what about me? I have better things to do in the world
than to allow myself to be shot down like a mad dog by a jealous baron!
(Bell rings.)

MARGARET. There he is--there he is!

GILBERT. You won't say anything!

MARGARET. Yes, I mean to speak out.

GILBERT. Oh, you will, will you? Have a care, then! I'll sell my skin
dearly.

MARGARET. What will you do?

GILBERT. I'll hurl such truths into his very face as no baron ever
heard before. (Enter CLEMENT; rather surprised at finding him, very
cool