Part 30 (1/2)

Beata (_looking at_ Richard).

He will give you his word of honour, and then he will go home and blow his brains out. Don't you see it in his face?

Kellinghausen.

What do you mean?

Richard.

Kellinghausen, ask your wife to leave the room, and I will----

Beata.

Richard, for fifteen years we have shared all our joys and sorrows. We must share this too.

Kellinghausen.

(_Half strangled, tearing his collar open, and then throwing himself on_ Richard.) You--you--you!

Richard (_seizing both his hands_).

Michael, take care! This must be between ourselves. Remember that.

Kellinghausen.

Yes--yes--yes; I pledged my word--I remember--I--oh, you--you---- (_He sinks down in a chair near the table, and hides his face with tearless sobs_.)

Beata (_approaching him after a pause_).

Dear Michael, Richard and I conquered our feelings long ago. That is why we are so calm now. What happened between us happened years ago, and we are ready to pay the cost, whatever it is.

Kellinghausen.

Oh, as far as he's concerned, it's simple enough. He and I can soon settle our account.

Richard.

Yes.

Kellinghausen.

But you--you--how can you justify yourself? How have you reconciled it to your conscience to live beside me half a lifetime with this thing between us? Why didn't you come and ask me to set you free?

Beata.

Yes--that was what _he_ wanted--he has such a sense of honour! And to this day he has never understood why I wouldn't. I loved him too well to ruin his life--that's all. Even if he could have got a divorce and married me, such a marriage would have been his ruin. I should simply have finished the work that Leonie had begun. But what I wanted was to save him. And so all these years I have lied for him----

Kellinghausen.

And what have you done for _me_? Or didn't I enter into your calculations?