Thérèse. No. We mustn't do this; we must be brave. Oh, why did you come here? I was going to write to you. We're quite helpless against this dreadful misfortune.
René. I don't know what to do! But I can't give you up.
Thérèse [to herself] I must do the right thing. [To him] René, stop crying. Listen to me.
René. I love you.
Thérèse. Yes; there's our love. But besides that there's life, and life is cruel and too strong for our love. There is your future, my dearest.
René. My future is to love you. My future is nothing if I lose you. [He buries his face in his hands]
Thérèse. You can't marry a girl without any money. That's a dreadful fact, like a stone wall. We shall only break ourselves to pieces if we dash ourselves against it. Listen, oh, please listen to me. Don't you hear what I'm saying? René—dear.
René. I'm listening.
Thérèse. I give you your freedom without any bitterness or hardness.
René. I don't want it!