If you think that would really be best, Nellie—

HELEN

It is! it is! We mustn't wait! It's the best thing—for you and for me.
If you don't take me soon, you'll just leave me quite, and then, and then
… It would just be all over with me.

LOTH

How distrustful you are, Nellie.

HELEN

Don't say that, dearest. Anybody would trust you, would just have to trust you!… When I am your own, oh, then … then, you surely wouldn't leave me. [As if beside herself.] I beseech you! Don't go away! Only don't leave me! Don't—go, Alfred! If you go away without me, I would just have to die, just have to die!

LOTH

But you are strange!… And you say you're not distrustful! Or perhaps they're worrying you, torturing you terribly here—more than ever … At all events we'll leave this very night. I am ready. And so, as soon as you are—we can go.

HELEN