UL. You do not _want_ to.

ANTOINETTE. No, I _do_ not want to! I do not care to descend into the
mire! I have hated it all of my life. They shall not be able to
reproach us for anything.

PAUL (in passionate excitement). Is it to be? Is it to be? (ANTOINETTE
nods silently).

PAUL (suddenly overcome with emotion, falls upon his knees before
ANTOINETTE and presses his head to her bosom). Kiss me, kiss me,
beloved!

ANTOINETTE (puts her arms around him). Here on your brow, my lover! Are
you content? (She kisses his brow.)

PAUL. Content in life or death. (He gets up, sits down beside
ANTOINETTE and looks at her). Are you weeping, sweetheart?

ANTOINETTE (lowers her head, gently). Why, you are, too, Paul!

PAUL (passes his hand over his eyes). All over! Tell me what you think
now, dear!

ANTOINETTE (also controlling her tears). It is this, dear, our time is
short. I rode away from my husband! He was riding ahead of me in the
sleigh. I had told him that I would follow and I mounted my horse and
came to you.

PAUL (puts his arms around her). Courageous soul! Rode through the
forest?

ANTOINETTE. Right on through the forest. The sun was already going
down, when I set out.

PAUL. The sun of New Year's Eve ... Did _you_ see it too?

ANTOINETTE. When it was down, the gloaming afforded me light, and later
the snow.

PAUL (sadly with a touch of roguishness). Dearest, when the sun is
down, there is nothing left to give light.

ANTOINETTE. Indeed, my beloved, indeed! Then come the stars. They are
finer.

PAUL. Do you believe in the stars?

ANTOINETTE. You heretic, I believe!...

PAUL. Still believe in heaven and hell?

ANTOINETTE. No longer for us. For us, the stars.

PAUL. Do you think so? For us?

ANTOINETTE. For us and lovers such as we are!

PAUL. How do you know that?

ANTOINETTE. Since I have you!

PAUL. Then I believe it too!

ANTOINETTE. My friend! My beloved! My life! (She presses him to her.)

PAUL. My beloved! My wife! [Blissful silence.]

ANTOINETTE (straightens up). Don't you hear steps? (She listens.)

PAUL (also listens). Where, pray tell.

ANTOINETTE (has risen). Out in the garden. It seemed so to me.

PAUL. I hear nothing. All is still.

ANTOINETTE (leans upon him). I am afraid, Paul.

PAUL. Afraid? Of what?

ANTOINETTE. That he will come and get me. Our time is short.

PAUL. Then I will protect you.

ANTOINETTE. Paul, I don't want to see him again! I don't want to see