HUMMEL. But why do you continue to associate?
MUMMY. Crime and guilt and secrets bind us together, don't you know? Our ties have snapped so that we have slipped apart innumerable times, but we are always drawn together again....
HUMMEL. I think the Colonel is coming.
MUMMY. I'll go in to Adèle, then.... [Pause] Consider what you do, Jacob! Spare him....
[Pause; then she goes out.
COLONEL. [Enters, haughty and reserved] Won't you be seated, please?
HUMMEL seats himself with great deliberation; pause.
COLONEL. [Staring at his visitor] You wrote this letter, sir?
HUMMEL. I did.
COLONEL. Your name is Hummel?