Asta.

[With warm emotion.] Oh, you must never say that, Alfred. It is only I that have taken my stamp from you; and it is to you that I owe everything—every good thing in the world.

Allmers.

[Shaking his head.] You owe me nothing, Asta. On the contrary——

Asta.

I owe you everything! You must never doubt that. No sacrifice has been too great for you——

Allmers.

[Interrupting.] Oh, nonsense—sacrifice! Don’t talk of such a thing.—I have only loved you, Asta, ever since you were a little child. [After a short pause.] And then it always seemed to me that I had so much injustice to make up to you for.

Asta.

[Astonished.] Injustice? You?