ery well, Major, but it is now over. I have released you
from your engagement; you have, by taking back the ring!!!!!

MAJ. T.
Consented to nothing! On the contrary, I now consider myself bound
more firmly than ever. You are mine, Minna, mine for ever.
(Takes off the ring.)
Here, take it for the second time--the pledge of my fidelity.

MIN.
I take that ring again! That ring?

MAJ. T.
Yes, dearest Minna, yes.

MIN.
What are you asking me? that ring?

MAJ. T.
You received it for the first time from my hand, when our positions
were similar and the circumstances propitious. They are no longer
propitious, but are again similar. Equality is always the strongest
tie of love. Permit me, dearest Minna!
(Seizes her hand to put on the ring.)

MIN.
What! by force, Major! No, there is no power in the world which shall
compel me to take back that ring! Do you think that I am in want of a
ring? Oh! you may see
(pointing to her ring)
that I have another here which is in no way inferior to yours.

FRAN. (aside).
Well, if he does not see it now!

MAJ. T. (letting fall her hand).
What is this? I see Fraulein von Barnhelm, but I do not hear her.--You
are pretending.--Pardon me, that I use your own words.

MIN. (in her natural tone).
Did those words offend you, Major?

MAJ. T.
They grieved me much.

MIN. (affected).
They were not meant to do that, Tellheim. Forgive me, Tellheim.

MAJ. T.
Ah! that friendly tone tells me you are yourself again, Minna: that
you still love me.

FRAN. (exclaims).
The joke would soon have gone a little too far.

MIN. (in a commanding tone).
Franziska, you will not interfere in our affairs, I beg.

FRAN. (aside, in a surprised tone).
Not enough yet!

MIN.
Yes, sir, it would only be womanish vanity in me to pretend to be cold
and scornful. No! Never! You deserve to find me as sincere as
yourself. I do love you still, Tellheim, I love you still; but
notwithstanding!!!!!

MAJ. T.
No more, dearest Minna, no more!
(Seizes her hand again, to put on the ring.)

MIN. (drawing back her hand).
Notwithstanding, so much the more am I determined that that shall
never be,--never!--Of what are you thinking, Major?--I thought your
own distress was sufficient. You must remain here; you must obtain by
obstinacy--no better phrase occurs to me at the moment--the most
perfect satisf