ched, we shall never be on proper
terms with one another again. Of that I am certain. If it is a matter
that pains us all, for that very reason let us go through with it and
get it settled.

Father. Poor confiding fools that we have been!

Mother. Can't you give us some respite, so that we may think things over
quietly? This is simply tearing us apart.

Axel. It would only prolong your pain, and it would end in your hating
me. No, it must be done now--at once; otherwise it will never be done.

Mother. Oh dear, oh dear! (Sits down.)

Father. Axel! Listen to us for a moment! It is quite possible you may be
in the right; but for that very reason I beg you--I, who have never yet
begged anything of any one--I beg you, be merciful! I am an old man, and
cannot stand it--and she (looking at his wife) still less.

Axel. Ah, I am not hard-hearted--but I must try to be resolute. If I
lose now, I shall be losing her for life, I know. Therefore she _shall_
go with me!

Mother (springing up). No, she shall not! If you loved her, as you say
you do, you hypocrite, you would remain where she is--and here she shall
stay!

Laura (who has been standing beside MATHILDE, goes to her MOTHER). Yes,
to my dying day.

Father (getting up). No! We must not alter God's law. It is written: "A
man shall forsake his father and his mother, and cleave only unto his
wife"--and in the same way she must cleave only to him. Laura shall go
when he wishes.

Laura. Father, can you--have you the heart to--?

Father. No, I haven't the heart to, my child. But I shall do it
nevertheless, because it is right. Oh, Laura!--(Embraces her. The MOTHER
joins her embrace to his.)

Mathilde (to AXEL). You Jesuit!--You have no consideration, no mercy;
you trample upon hearts as you would upon the grass that grows in your
path. But you shall not find this so easy as you think. It is true she
is a child--but I shall go with her! I don't know you, and I don't trust
you. (Clenches her fist.) But I shall watch over her!

[Curtain.]

ACT II

(SCENE.--AXEL's house, a year later. The room is arranged almost
identically like that in the first act. Two large portraits of LAURA'S
parents, very well executed, hang in full view. LAURA is sitting at the
table, MATHILDE on the couch on the right.)

Mathilde (reading aloud from a book). "'No,' was the decided answer.
Originally it was he that was to blame, but now it is she. He tore her
from her parents, her hom