path again! I might have become an artist, at life or art itself, who
cares! And you have made me a beggar, a machine, that reels off its
uniform sing-song day after day! You have cheated me out of my life,
you imp!... Give it back to me! (He stands before her, breathing
heavily, struggling for air.)

HELLA (has become quite calm). Why did you _allow_ yourself to be
cheated. It's your own fault!

PAUL (suddenly calm, but sad and resigned). That is a profound word,
Hella! Why have you ... _allowed_ ... yourself to be cheated!

HELLA. You had your will-power just as I had mine. Why did you not make
use of it?

PAUL. _You_, with your ideas, would say _that_, Hella?

HELLA. Yes, _one_ or the other is stronger, of course! Why should we
women not be stronger?

PAUL (turns away). That is sufficient, Hella. We are through with each
other. There is nothing more to say.

HELLA. As you may decide. So it is really all over between us?

PAUL (stands in deep thought and murmurs to himself). Why did you
_allow_ yourself to be cheated? Terrible! Terrible! Why must this
conviction come too late?

HELLA (in a lurking manner). I suppose you are going to the other woman
now?

PAUL (breathes a deep sigh of relief). We are going together!

HELLA (with a sudden inspiration). If I _release_ you, you mean!

PAUL (quite calmly). I suppose you will be _compelled_ to!

HELLA (triumphantly). Who can compel me?

PAUL (starts up). Hella, then ... Then ...

HELLA. Well? Then?

PAUL (controls himself, with a strange expression). Then we shall see
who is the stronger. (The door in the background has been opened.)

ANTOINETTE (has entered quickly, starts at seeing HELLA, stops
in the background and sags, in a subdued voice). Paul!

PAUL (turns around frightened, exclaims passionately). Antoinette! (He
rushes up to her, about to embrace her. She turns him aside gently and
looks at HELLA. The two press each other's hands firmly and look into
each other's eyes.)

ANTOINETTE (softly). I am here, Paul.

PAUL. Thank you, thank you, dear!

HELLA (has recovered from her astonishment and starts for Antoinette,
savagely). Who _are_ you, and what do you want here?

PAUL (steps between them, very seriously). Hella ... If you please ...

ANTOINETTE (restrains PAUL, with a quiet, distinguished bearing). I am
not afraid, Paul. Just continue, madam.

HELLA (furiously). Who has given you the right to intrude here?

[PAUL has retreate