Berent. No, no! Before anything else, you must sign this.
Tjaelde (sinking back into his chair). Oh!—How shall I ever dare to look any one in the face again?—I, who, have defied everything and deceived every one!
Berent. The man who has enjoyed the respect which he did not deserve must some day undergo the humiliation which he has deserved. That is a law; and I cannot save you from that.
Tjaelde. But they will be crueller to me than to any one else! I deserve it, I know; but I shall not be able to endure it!
Berent. Hm! You are remarkably tough; your fight, these last three years, proves that.
Tjaelde. Be merciful! Surely your ingenuity—your influence—must be able to find some way out for me?
Berent. Yes. The way out is for you to sign this.
Tjaelde. Won't you even take it over from me by private contract? If you did that, everything would come right.
Berent. Sign! Here is the paper! Every hour is precious.
Tjaelde. Oh! (Takes up a pen; but turns to BERENT with a gesture of supplication.) Daren't you test me, after what I have just gone through?