K.
But now you have awakened, Irene!
IRENE.
[Shakes her head.] I have the heavy, deep sleep still in my eyes.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
You shall see that day will dawn and lighten for us both.
IRENE.
Do not believe that.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Urgently.] I do believe it! And I know it! Now that I have found you
again--
IRENE.
Risen from the grave.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Transfigured!
IRENE.
Only risen, Arnold. Not transfigured.
[He crosses over to her by means of stepping-stones below the
cascade.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Where have you been all day, Irene?
IRENE.
[Pointing.] Far, far over there, on the great dead waste--
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Turning the conversation.] You have not your--your friend with you
to-day, I see.
IRENE.
[Smiling.] My friend is keeping a close watch on me, none the less.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Can she?
IRENE.
[Glancing furtively around.] You may be sure she can--wherever I may
go. She never loses sight of me-- [Whispering.] Until, one fine sunny
morning, I shall kill her.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Would you do that?
IRENE.
With the utmost delight--if only I could manage it.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Why do you want to?
IRENE.
Because she deals in witchcraft. [Mysteriously.] Only think, Arnold--she
has changed herself into my shadow.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Trying to calm her.] Well, well, well--a shadow we must all have.
IRENE.
I am my own shadow. [With an outburst.] Do you not understand that!
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Sadly.] Yes, yes, Irene, I understand.
[He seats himself on a stone beside the brook. She stands behind
him, leaning against the wall of rock.
IRENE.
[After a pause.] Why do you sit there turning your eyes away from me?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Softly, shaking his head.] I dare not--I dare not look at you.
IRENE.
Why dare you not look at me any more?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
You have a shadow that tortures me. And I have the crushing weight of my
conscience.
IRENE.
[With a glad cry of deliverance.] At last!
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Springs up.] Irene--what is it!
IRENE.
[Motioning him off.] Keep still, still, still! [Draws a deep breath and
says, as though relieved of a burden.] There! Now they let me go. For
this time.--Now we can sit down and talk as we used to--when I was
alive.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Oh, if only we could talk as we used to.
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