Clara. If it were as easy as that, I should have done it long, long ago.
Princess (turns away. Then comes back). Get up. (Pulls her on to her feet.) Do you love the King?
Clara. Do I love him? I am a motherless child, and have lived alone with a father who has been constantly persecuted on account of his principles; I shared his ideals from a very early age, and I have never abandoned them since. Then one day I was given the chance of making these ideals real. "What I long to do, you shall accomplish!" he said. There is something great about that, Princess—something all-powerful—a call from God Himself. Of that I am certain.
Princess. It is merely a rhapsody of the King's—nothing else!
Clara. Then I will make it real and live it! I have given my whole soul to it, and have strengthened his to the same end. It has been my ideal all my life.
Princess. And you believe that it will last?
Clara. Yes.
Princess. Then let me beg you to believe this, too—it will last until he has attained his end.
Clara. If you mean our marriage, let me tell you that that is not our end.
Princess (in surprise). What is, then?