Thekla. I think I know now. [She points to the right.] He’s in your room just here. He has heard everything, seen everything, and you know they say that he who looks upon his vampire dies.

SCENE VIII

[ADOLF appears, on the right, deadly pale, a streak of blood on his left cheek, a fixed expression in his eyes, white foam on his mouth.]

Gustav.[Moves back.] No, here he is—settle with him now! See if he’ll be as generous to you as I was. Good-bye. [He turns to the left, stops after a few steps, and remains standing.]

Thekla.[Goes toward ADOLF with outstretched arms.] Adolf! [ADOLF sinks down in his chair by the table on the left. THEKLA throws herself over him and caresses him.] Adolf! My darling child, are you alive? Speak! Speak ! Forgive your wicked Thekla! Forgive me ! Forgive me! Forgive me! Little brother must answer. Does he hear? My God, he doesn’t hear me! He’s dead! Good God! O my God! Help! Help us!

Gustav. Quite true, she loves him as well—poor creature!

[Curtain]

THE STRONGER WOMAN

CHARACTERS

MRS. X., actress, married.