ALLMERS. [Annoyed.] Oh, why should you be?
RITA. [With increasing excitement.] Why, for then she would have to go far, far away with him! And she could never come out here to us, as she does now.
ALLMERS. [Stares at her in astonishment.] What! Can you really wish Asta to go away?
RITA. Yes, yes, Alfred!
ALLMERS. Why in all the world—?
RITA. [Throwing her arms passionately round his neck.] For then, at last, I should have you to myself alone! And yet—not even then! Not wholly to myself! [Bursts into convulsive weeping.] Oh, Alfred, Alfred—I cannot give you up!
ALLMERS. [Gently releasing himself.] My dearest Rita, do be reasonable!
RITA. I don't care a bit about being reasonable! I care only for you! Only for you in all the world! [Again throwing her arms round his neck.] For you, for you, for you!
ALLMERS. Let me go, let me go—you are strangling me!
RITA. [Letting him go.] How I wish I could! [Looking at him with flashing eyes.] Oh, if you knew how I have hated you—!