EST. Oh, Gerald! Don't begin that again. You know it's too late. And it tears me to pieces!
GER. I can't help it. I must say it!
EST. [Hurrying toward him.] Brother! You must not say another word to me! I tell you you must not... I can't bear it!
GER. Estelle...
EST. No, I say... no! I've given my word! My honor is pledged, and it's too late to turn back. I have permitted father to incur obligations before all the world.
GER. But, Estelle, you don't know. If you understood all... all...
EST. [With sudden intensity.] Gerald! I know what you mean! I have felt it! You know more about Prince Hagen than you have told me. There is some secret—something strange. [She stares at him wildly.] I don't want to know it! Gerald... don't you understand? We are in that man's hands! We are at his mercy! Don't you know that he would never give me up? He would follow me to the end of the earth! He would wreck the whole world to get me! I am in a cage with a wild beast!
[They stare at each other.]
GER. [In sudden excitement.] Estelle!
EST. What?