heir own favour her guardians may reduce it to nothing. She
expected everything from her uncle; but this cruel uncle!!!!!

MAJ. T.
Let him go! Am I not man enough to make it all good to her again!

FRAN.
Do you hear? She is ringing; I must go in again.

MAJ. T.
I will accompany you.

FRAN.
For heaven's sake, no! She forbade me expressly to speak with you.
Come in at any rate a little time after me.
(Goes in.)

SCENE IV.
Major von Tellheim

MAJ. T. (calling after her).
Announce me! Speak for me, Franziska! I shall follow you directly.
What shall I say to her? Yet where the heart can speak, no preparation
is necessary. There is one thing only which may need a studied turn
... this reserve, this scrupulousness of throwing herself,
unfortunate as she is, into my arms; this anxiety to make a false show
of still possessing that happiness which she has lost through me. How
she is to exculpate herself to herself--for by me it is already
forgiven--for this distrust in my honour, in her own worth... Ah!
here she comes.

SCENE V.
Minna, Franziska, Major von Tellheim

MIN. (speaking as she comes out, as if not aware of the Major's
presence).
The carriage is at the door, Franziska, is it not? My fan!

MAJ. T. (advancing to her).
Where are you going, Madam?

MIN. (with forced coldness).
I am going out, Major. I guess why you have given yourself the trouble
of coming back: to return me my ring.--Very well, Major von Tellheim,
have the goodness to give it to Franziska.--Franziska, take the ring
from Major von Tellheim!--I have no time to lose.
(Is going.)

MAJ. T. (stepping before her).
Madam! Ah! what have I heard? I was unworthy of such love.

MIN.
So, Franziska, you have!!!!!

FRAN.
Told him all.

MAJ. T.
Do not be angry with me, Madam. I am no deceiver. You have, on my
account, lost much in the eyes of the world, but not in mine. In my
eyes you have gained beyond measure by this loss. It was too sudden.
You feared it might make an unfavourable impression on me; at first
you wished to hide it from me. I do not complain of this mistrust. It
arose from the desire to retain my affection. That desire is my pride.
You found me in distress; and you did not wish to add distress to
distress. You could not divine how far your distress would raise me
above any thoughts of my own.

MIN.
That is all v