Magda Part 37

What have you done to him?

SCHWARTZE.

Yes, what have you--what have you? That is my daughter. What shall I do with my daughter now?

MAGDA.

[_Humbly, almost beseechingly_.] Father, isn't it best, after what has happened, that you should let me go,--that you should drive me into the streets? You must get free of me if this house is to be pure again.

SCHWARTZE.

So, so, so! You think, then, you have only to go--to go away, out there, and all will be as before? And we? What will become of us?

I--good G.o.d!--I--I have one foot in the grave--soon it will be over--but the mother, and your sister--your sister.

MAGDA.

Marie has the husband she wants--

SCHWARTZE.

No one will marry a sister of yours. [_With aversion_.] No, no. Don't think it!

MAGDA.

[_Aside_.] My G.o.d!

SCHWARTZE.

[_To_ Mrs. Schwartze.] See, she's beginning now to realize what she has done.

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

Yes; what--

MAGDA.

[_In tender sympathy, but still with a tinge of superiority_.] My poor old father--listen to me--I can't change what has pa.s.sed. I will give Marie half my fortune. I will make up a thousand times all that I have made you suffer to-day. But now, I implore you, let me go my way.

SCHWARTZE.

Oho!

MAGDA.

What do you want of me? What am I to you? Yesterday at this time you did not know even whether I still lived; and to-day-- It is madness to demand that I should think and feel again as you do; but I am afraid of you, father, I'm afraid of you all--ah, I am not myself-- [_Breaking out in torment_.] I cannot bear the sorrow.

SCHWARTZE.

Ha, ha!

MAGDA.

Father dear, I will humble myself before you willingly. I lament with my whole heart that I've brought sorrow to you to-day, for my flesh and blood still belong to you. But I must live out my own life. That I owe to myself,--to myself and mine. Good-by!

SCHWARTZE.

[_Stopping her_.] Where are you going?

MAGDA.

Let me pa.s.s, father.

SCHWARTZE.

I'll kill you first. [_Seizes her_.]

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

Leopold! [_Enter_ Heffterdingt. _He throws himself between them with a cry of horror_. Magda, _freed by the old man, goes slowly back, with her eyes fixed on the_ Pastor, _to the seat, left, where she remains motionless_.]

HEFFTERDINGT.

[_After a silence_.] In G.o.d's name!

SCHWARTZE.

Yes, yes, yes, Pastor--it made a fine family group, eh? Look at her!

She has soiled my name. Any scoundrel can break my sword. That is my daughter; that is--

HEFFTERDINGT.

Dear Colonel, these are things which I do not understand, and which I do not care to understand. But it seems to me there must be something to do, instead of--

SCHWARTZE.

Yes, to do,--yes, yes,--there's much to do here. I have much to do. I don't see why I'm standing here. The worst of it is--the worst of it is, he can say to me--this man--you are a cripple--with your shaking hand--with such a one I can't fight, even if I have had your daughter for a-- But I will show him-- I will show him-- Where is my hat?

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

Where are you going, Leopold? [Magda _rises_.]

SCHWARTZE.

My hat!

MRS. SCHWARTZE.

[_Gives him hat and stick_.] Here, here!