Adr. Even now I am trembling for you, thinking more of your safety than of the poor people who are waiting for me as their only hope. You must leave here at once—cease trying to protect me—what you have done for Vasil may arouse the suspicions of Petrizoff——
Soph. He will not hear of it. I spoke to Orloff. [Answering his look] I can take care of myself, Adrian. [Taking his hand] It is you who need——
Adr. [Withdrawing his hand] Don't! Who lets in love, lets in his master, and I must be free—free! You will despise me, but that perhaps is the better way. O, I long to deceive myself, to say that it would make no difference, that I could see the chains fastened about you, see you dragged away, and go on unfalteringly with no dimming of the vision. But it would be a lie.
Soph. The truth. You could do it.
Adr. No. And you would not want me to do it Forgive me. You do not believe it now, but you would want me to love you first.
Soph. Yes. But I should not let you. You say yourself that sacrifice is woman's breath. I could give up even my desire to be first. But why make a question of the impossible? No woman could be first with you, Adrian.
Adr. O you don't know!
[A man comes to door, rear, makes sign of the cross toward icon, and stands waiting]
Adr. What now, Nico?