(of striking beauty, twenty-seven years, street dress, muff;
greatly excited). I am just likely, am I not, to let that creature
block my way! I suppose you placed him down there to prevent me from
reaching you!

GERARDO (has started from his chair). Helen!

HELEN. Why, you knew that I was coming, didn't you?

VALET (in the open door which has been left so by HELEN; holds hand to
his cheek). I did my very best, Sir, but the lady ... she ... she ...

HELEN. Boxed your ears!

GERARDO. Helen!

HELEN. Would you expect me to put up with such an insult?

GERARDO (to the valet). You may go. [Exit VALET.]

HELEN (lays her muff on a chair). I can no longer live without you.
Either you will take me along or I shall kill myself.

GERARDO. Helen!

HELEN. I shall kill myself! You cut asunder my vital nerve if you
insist on our separation. You leave me without either heart or brain.
To live through another day like yesterday, a whole day without seeing
you,--I simply cannot do it. I am not strong enough for it. I implore
you, Oscar, take me along! I am pleading for my life!

GERARDO. It is impossible.

HELEN. Nothing is impossible if you are but willing! How can you say it
is impossible? It is impossible for you to leave me without killing me.
These are no empty words, I do not mean it as a threat; it is the
simple truth! I am as certain of it as I can feel my own heart in here:
not to have you means death to me. Therefore take me along. If not for
my sake, do it for human mercy's sake! Let it be for only a short time,
I don't care.

GERARDO. I give you my word of honor, Helen, I cannot do it.--I give
you my word of honor.

HELEN. You must do it, Oscar! Whether you can or not, you must bear the
consequences of your own acts. My life is dear to me, but you and my
life are one. Take me with you, Oscar, unless you want to shed my
blood!

GERARDO. Do you remember what I told you the very first day within
these four walls?

HELEN. I do. But of what good is that to me now?

GERARDO. That there could be no thought of any real sentiment in our
relations?

HELEN. Of what good is that to me now? Did I know you then? Why, I did
not know what a man could be like until I knew you! You foresaw it
would come to this or you would not have begun by exacting from me that
promise not to make a scene at your departure. Besides do you think
there is anything I should not have promised you if you had asked me
to? That promise means