The Lady.

No, not that. I only want you to take this great weight from my soul.

v. Wolters.

Ah, Countess, I am a man of my word.

The Lady.

And that's what you call being torn to pieces for me?

v. Wolters (trembling).

Whether I can answer for this to him and to my own conscience--whether I can ever again think of him--without shame--will depend upon what we shall find in there.

The Lady.

But you will open it? (A pause.) Herr von Wolters, you'll not let me die of fear and distraction?