Helene. I knew I would meet you. I felt that I must, in order to get you out of my mind. I am betrothed, you know——
Lassalle. I know—to me, from the foundation of the world.
Helene. I am betrothed to Prince Yanko Racowitza. You never heard of him, of course. He is out of your class, because he is good, and gentle, and kind, and of noble blood. And you are a demagogue, and a demigod, and a Jew, and a Mephisto! I told Yanko I would not wed him until I saw you. He has been trying to meet you, to introduce us.
Lassalle. That you might be disillusioned!
Helene. Precisely so.
Lassalle. How interesting! And how superfluous in your fairy prince.
Helene. He is an extraordinary man, for he said I should see you and him both, see you together and take my choice.
Lassalle. Good! He is a Christian, and does as he would be done by. I am a Christianized Jew, and I will bejew all Christendom. Your prince is a useless appendenda, and I would kill him, were it not that I am opposed to duelling. I fought one duel—or did not fight it, I should say. I faced my man, he fired and missed. I threw my pistol into the bushes and held out my hand to the late enemy. He reeled toward me and fell into my arms, pierced by his emotions. He is now my friend. Had I killed him, the vexed question between us would still be unsettled. I believe in brain, not brawn—soul, not sense. Let us meet your prince, and when he sees you and me together, he will know we are one, and dare not withhold his blessing which we do not need. He shall be our page. Win people and use them, I say—use them! You and I working together can win and use humanity for humanity's good. We talk with the same phrases. You say, "Two wishes make a will"—so do I. We read the same books, are fed at the same springs. Our souls blend together; great thoughts are children, born of married minds——
Helene. My carriage is at the door—I surely must go!
Lassalle. I'll order your coachman to go home; we will walk.