Frau Von Donniges. You enter his house, and the servants will throw your vile body into the street.
Lassalle. I have written him that I will call.
Frau Von Donniges. Your letter was cast into the garbage unopened.
Lassalle. [Stung] It may be possible, Madame, for you to wear out my patience.
Frau Von Donniges. You have already succeeded in wearing out mine.
Helene. [In agony—wringing her hands] Hopeless, Ferdinand, you see it is hopeless!
Lassalle. [Aside to Helene] Her outbreak will pass in a moment.
Frau Von Donniges. You have ruined the reputation of my family—stolen my child. You, who are known over an empire for your dealings with women!
Helene. [Joining in the fray, in shrill excitement] False! He did not steal me—I went to him unasked. You who call yourself my mother, how dare you traduce me so, you who bore me! I fled from you to save my life—to escape your tortures, you killed my love. I am Lassalle's, because I love him. He understands me—you do not. When you abuse him, you abuse me. When you trample on him, you trample on me. I now choose life with him in preference to perdition with you. I follow him, I am his, I glory in him. Now!
[Helene turns to Lassalle in triumph, believing of course that after she has just avowed herself, they will stand together—he and she.]