Friedrich (after silence): Even if you have lived through hard times, that still does not give you the right to disregard the duties of morals and customs.
Rita (plays and sings): "Farilon, farila, farilette—"
Friedrich: I cannot understand how you can refuse me, when I offer you the opportunity of returning to ordered circumstances.
Rita: I do not love the "ordered" circumstances. On the contrary, I must have something to train.
Friedrich: And I? I shall never be anything to you any more? You thrust me also aside in your stubbornness.
Rita: But not at all. Why?
Friedrich: How so? Did you not state just now that you would never marry a merchant from Rudolstadt.
Rita: Certainly——
Friedrich: Do you see? You cannot be so cold and heartless towards me? (Flattering) Why did you kiss me before? I know you also yearn in your innermost heart for those times in which we secretly saw and found each other. You also, and, even if you deny it, I felt it before when you cried. (Softly) Erna! Come along, come along with me! Come! Become my dear wife!
Rita (looks at him quietly): No, I shall not do such a thing.