Robert. Please--let me keep it--or can't you trust me?
Trast. I'm afraid that story of Pepe will go to your head.
Robert. Hasn't a word of honor between two dishonored men any value?
Trast. Good! Keep it, (Robert goes out followed by Wilhelm. Trast is about to follow him, but stops) --Perhaps it was imprudent after all?--But if the youngster comes home, I'll keep them apart. Now there is something else to attend to. If this girl here is what I think she is--(Enter Leonore L. wearing a winter costume) Ah, this is very fortunate.
Leonore. (Giving him her hand. Excitedly) Count, do you know where I've been? To your apartment! (Takes her coat and hat off) Are you shocked at my boldness? But you were the only one to whom I could go to find out what has happened. I was afraid my brother was on the way to ruin that young girl. I suspected it. Has your friend found out?
Trast. If that were all!
Leonore. What else could there be----
Trast. I admit, I really can't find words to----
Leonore. Please tell me!
Trast. Very well! Your parents have considered it necessary to make those poor people forget their trouble--so they appealed to them on their weakest side--namely, by their poverty.