HAGEN. [In a low voice.] Have you any idea what I will do?
EST. [Desperately.] I know what you mean... you have me at your mercy! You have your guards—I am in a trap! And you mean force... I have felt it in all your actions... behind all your words. Very well! There is a way of escape, even from that; and I will take it! You can compel me to kill myself; but you can never compel me to marry you! Not with all the power you can summon... not with all the wealth of the world! Do you understand me? [They stare at each other.] I have heard you talk with my brother, and I know what are your ideas. You came to our civilization, and tried it, and found it a lie. Virtue and honor... justice and mercy... all these things were pretenses... snares for the unwary. There was no one you could not frighten with your gold! That is your creed, and so far it has served you... but no farther! There is one thing in the world you cannot get... one thing that is beyond the reach of all your cunning! And that is a woman's soul. [With a gesture of exultant triumph.] You cannot buy me!
HAGEN. Estelle!
EST. Go!
HAGEN. [Stretching out his arms to her.] I love you!
EST. You love me! The slave driver... with his golden whip!
HAGEN. Even so... I love you.
EST. What do you know of love? What does the word mean to you? Before love must come justice and honor, with it come mercy and self-sacrifice... all things that you deride and trample on. What have you to do with love?
HAGEN. [With intensity.] I love you! More than anything else in all the world... I love you!
EST. [Stares at him.] More than your power?