ve taken hold of
with such enthusiasm. I think it would be inexcusable of you to draw
back, and wicked of me to permit it. You must be happy at having found
a way at last, by which you may reach all you have longed for. It makes
me happy, too, Felix. If you missed this opportunity, you would regret
it all your life.

FELIX

But so much may have changed since yesterday--such a tremendous
lot--for you and for me.

WEGRAT

For me, perhaps.... But never mind. I won't stand it--I will not accept
such a sacrifice. Of course, I might accept it, if I could find it of
any special advantage to myself. But I shouldn't have you any more than
if you were gone away ... less ... not at all. This fate that has
descended on us must not add to its inherent power what is still
worse--that it makes us do in our confusion what is against our own
natures. Sometime we always get over every disaster, no matter how
frightful it be. But whatever we do in violation of our innermost
selves can never be undone. (_Turning to Julian_) Isn't that true,
Julian?

JULIAN

You are absolutely right.

FELIX

Thanks, father. I feel grateful that you make it so easy for me to
agree with you.

WEGRAT

That's good, Felix.... During the weeks you will remain in Europe we
shall be able to talk over a lot of things--more perhaps than in the
years gone by. Indeed, how little people know about each other!... But
I am getting tired. We stayed awake all night.

FELIX

Won't you rest a while, father?

WEGRAT

Rest.... You'll stay at home, Felix, won't you?

FELIX

Yes, I shall wait right here. What else is there to do?

WEGRAT

I'm racking my brain until it's near bursting.... Why didn't she say
anything to me? Why have I known so little about her? Why have I kept
so far away from her? (_He goes out_)

FELIX

How that man has been belied--all his life long--by all of us.

JULIAN

There is in this world no sin, no crime, no deception, that cannot be
atoned. Only for what has happened here, there should be no expiation
and no forgetfulness, you think?

FELIX

Can it be possible that you don't understand?... Here a lie has been
eternalized. There is no getting away from it. And she who did it was
my mother--and it was you who made her do it--and the lie am I, and
such I must remain as long as I am passing for that which I am not.

JULIAN

Let us proclaim the truth then, Felix.--I shall face any judge that you
may choose, and submi