Aunt Clara (very uneasy). Paul, what are you talking about? Tell me!
Paul (jumps up without listening to her). No!... Then farewell Ellernhof! Farewell my home and everything!
Aunt Clara. Do be quiet! What in the world is the matter?
Paul (walks up and down impatiently, stops again, speaks to himself in an undertone). At that time I deceived her, deceived her without knowing and wishing to. What if she deceives me now? What if she pays me back? (He sinks down in the chair near the fireplace in violent conflict with himself.)
Aunt Clara (in despair). What a calamity! What a calamity!
Paul (as if shaking something off). No! No! No!... it cannot but come out right. (Heaves a sigh of relief.)
Aunt Clara (joyful again). Do you see, my boy?
Paul (gloomily). Don't rejoice prematurely, Auntie! It seems to me that this house fosters misfortune! All that you need to do is to look at those faces! They all have a suggestion of melancholy and gloom. (He looks up at the portraits pensively.) Just as if the sun had never shone into their hearts, you know. No air of hopefulness, no suggestion of light and freedom! So chained to the earth! So savagely taciturn? Can that be due to the air and soil? It will probably assert itself in me too, after I have been here for some time. Possibly it would have been better, Auntie, if I had never returned to this house! I should have continued that life of mine, not cold, not warm, not happy, not unhappy! I should never have found out what I have really missed and yet can never find. Possibly it would have been better. [Short pause.]
Lene (opens the door at the right and stands in the door). The inspector is here, sir. Shall he come in? He is lunching just now.
Paul (gets up). No, never mind. One moment, Auntie! (He nods to her and goes out with Lene. )