Friedrich: No, no, Erna. What you allude to, that——do you really believe my father had——
Rita: Your father had grown used to buy and attain everything in life through money. Why not buy me also? And he had already received the promise—not from me, but from my father. But I am free! I ran away and am my own mistress! (With haughtiness.) A young girl, all alone! Down with the gang!
(Friedrich is silent and holds his head.)
Rita (steps up to him and touches his shoulder, in a friendly manner): Don't be sad. At that time your father was the stronger, and——Life is not otherwise. After all, one must assert oneself.
Friedrich: But he robbed you of your happiness.
Rita (jovially): Who knows? It is just as well.
Friedrich (surprised): Is that possible? Do you call that happiness, this being alone?
Rita: Yes. That is MY happiness—my freedom, and I love it with jealousy, for I fought for it myself.
Friedrich (bitterly): A great happiness! Outside of family ties, outside the ranks of respectable society.
Rita (laughs aloud, but without bitterness): Respectable society! Yes. I fled from that—thank Heaven. (harshly) But if you do not come in the name of my father, what do you want here? Why do you come? For what purpose? What do you want of me?