Paul. Toinette! Toinette! (Walks through the room excitedly.)
Antoinette. Think of her words, she will not release you!
Paul. Is Hella right? You haven't the courage?
Antoinette (passionately). Courage I have, Paul. To the very end!
Paul. Very well, then we shall undertake it in spite of them all.
Antoinette (excited). The absconded wife! The runaway husband! Did you forget those words? Those terrible words! They keep on ringing in my ears. Are we to live in the scorn of people. I cannot, Paul.
Paul. You do not want to.
Antoinette. No, I do not want to! I do not care to descend into the mire! I have hated it all of my life. They shall not be able to reproach us for anything.
Paul (in passionate excitement). Is it to be? Is it to be? (Antoinettenods silently).
Paul (suddenly overcome with emotion, falls upon his knees before Antoinette and presses his head to her bosom). Kiss me, kiss me, beloved!