not
travelling--as we are this year.

IRENE.

[Looking far before her.] Life was beautiful, beautiful by the Lake of
Taunitz.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[As though looking back into himself.] And yet, Irene--

IRENE.

[Completing his thought.] --yet we two let slip all that life and its
beauty.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Softly, urgently.] Does repentance come too late, now?

IRENE.

[Does not answer, but sits silent for a moment; then she points over
the upland.] Look there, Arnold,--now the sun is going down behind the
peaks. See what a red glow the level rays cast over all the heathery
knolls out yonder.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Looks where she is pointing.] It is long since I have seen a sunset in
the mountains.

IRENE.

Or a sunrise?

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

A sunrise I don't think I have ever seen.

IRENE.

[Smiles as though lost in recollection.] I once saw a marvellously
lovely sunrise.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

Did you? Where was that?

IRENE.

High, high up on a dizzy mountain-top.--You beguiled me up there by
promising that I should see all the glory of the world if only I--

[She stops suddenly.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

If only you--? Well?

IRENE.

I did as you told me--went with you up to the heights. And there I
fell upon my knees and worshipped you, and served you. [Is silent for a
moment; then says softly.] Then I saw the sunrise.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Turning at him with a scornful smile.] With you--and the other woman?

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Urgently.] With me--as in our days of creation. You could open all that
is locked up in me. Can you not find it in your heart, Irene?

IRENE.

[Shaking her head.] I have no longer the key to you, Arnold.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

You have the key! You and you alone possess it! [Beseechingly.] Help
me--that I may be able to live my life over again!

IRENE.

[Immovable as before.] Empty dreams! Idle--dead dreams. For the life you
and I led there is no resurrection.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Curtly, breaking off.] Then let us go on playing.

IRENE.

Yes, playing, playing--only playing!

[They sit and strew leaves and petals over the brook, where they
float and sail away.

[Up the slope to the left at the back come ULFHEIM and MAIA in
hunting costume. After them comes the SERVANT with the leash
of dogs, with which he goes out to the right.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Catching sight of the