you!

PAUL. Cared! Cared! A fine word!

HELLA, Why should you demand more than that? I respected you, Paul,
valued you as my best friend!

PAUL. All but a little word, a little word ...

HELLA. What is that?

PAUL. Imagine!

HELLA. I know what you are thinking of! I am not a friend of strong
words, but if you insist upon hearing it, I have _loved_ you too!

PAUL. You ... _me_!

HELLA. Yes, I have loved you, Paul, for what you were, the unselfish
idealist ...

PAUL (bitterly). Oh, indeed!

HELLA. Yes, Paul! Do not forget about one thing! I am not one of these
petty little women, to whom men are the alpha and omega! If you assumed
that, of course you have been mistaken.

PAUL. To be sure! And the mistake has cost me my life!

HELLA. You knew it beforehand, Paul!

PAUL. Because I was blinded!

HELLA, And yet I tell you, say what you please, leave me for instance,
but you will not find another woman who can satisfy you after you have
had me! I know it and will stake my life on it!

PAUL. Do you rate yourself so highly?

HELLA. I am rating _you_ highly, Paul!

PAUL (wavering). Do you mean to say I am ruined for happiness?...
Possibly you are right.

HELLA. Whoever has once become accustomed to the heights of life, will
never again descend.

PAUL (repeats to himself). Will never again descend.

HELLA. You are too good for a woman of the dead level! See here, Paul,
I _have_ at times made life a burden to you, I now and then refused to
enter upon many things just because my head was full of ideas, possibly
I have been too prone to disregard your emotional nature.

PAUL. Hella, do not remind me of that!

HELLA. We must come to an understanding, Paul! All of that may be true.
And there _shall_ be a change. There _will_ be a change, that much I
promise you today, but show me the kindness, pack your things and come
with me! Today rather than tomorrow! (She has stepped up to him and
places her hands on his shoulders.)

PAUL (in the most violent conflict). Hella! Hella!

HELLA. Look into my face, Paul! Are you happy here?

PAUL (lowers his head). Do not ask me, Hella!

HELLA (triumphantly). Then you are not! Didn't I know it? I am proud of
you for that, Paul!

PAUL (blurting out). Hella, do not exult! I _cannot_ go back again!

HELLA (undaunted). Yes you can! Are these people here meant for you? Do
you mean to say that you are suited to these peasants? You, with your
refined instincts? You would