Then he drops the scraps slowly into the coal-bin. Hereupon he
takes his hat and cane and turns to go. At this moment HELEN appears
on the threshold of the conservatory._
HELEN
[_Softly._] Mr. Loth!
LOTH
[_Quivers and turns._] Ah, it is you.--Well, then I can at least say
farewell to _you_.
HELEN
[_In spite of herself._] Did you feel the need of doing that?
LOTH
Yes! I did feel it, indeed. Probably, if you were in there, you heard
what has taken place here, and--in that case....
HELEN
I heard everything.
LOTH
In that case it won't astonish you to see me this house with so little
ceremony.
HELEN
No-o! I do understand--! But I should like you to feel less harshly
toward my brother-in-law. He always repents very quickly. I have
often....
LOTH
Quite possibly. But for that very reason what he has said just now
probably expresses his true opinion of me.--In fact, it is undoubtedly
his real opinion.
HELEN
Do you seriously believe that?
LOTH
Oh, yes, quite seriously. And so.... [_He walks toward her and takes her
hand._] I hope that life will be kind to you. [_He turns but at once
stops again._] I don't know...! or rather:--[_he looks calmly and
directly into HELEN'S face_]--I do know, I know--at this moment the
knowledge becomes clear--that it is not so easy for me to go away from
here .
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