Ellida. You see—we can never get away from that one thing—that a freely given promise is fully as binding as a marriage.
Wangel. But what on earth—
Ellida (rising impetuously). Set me free, Wangel!
Wangel. Ellida! Ellida!
Ellida. Yes, yes! Oh! grant me that! Believe me, it will come to that all the same—after the way we two came together.
Wangel (conquering his pain). It has come to this, then?
Ellida. It has come to this. It could not be otherwise.
Wangel (looking gloomily at her). So I have not won you by our living together. Never, never possessed you quite.
Ellida. Ah! Wangel—if only I could love you, how gladly I would—as dearly as you deserve. But I feel it so well—that will never be.
Wangel. Divorce, then? It is a divorce, a complete, legal divorce that you want?