I cannot continue to live this life of worry
and hypocrisy. All that I have already overcome awakens again and
appears to me more ugly than ever before. I do not know if I can
still believe in your good fellowship and remain your friend. [She
rises and goes slowly to the door.]
BEERMANN. I do not seem to know you any more. During our entire
married life, you have not spoken as seriously as in the last
fifteen minutes.
FRAU BEERMANN. That perhaps was my great mistake. But I have paid
for it. [She opens the door.]
BEERMANN. Lena dear, have you nothing further to tell me?
FRAU BEERMANN. I just beg of you; do not bring your family into
ridicule. [Exit.]
BEERMANN [For a while remains standing; lost in thought; then he
turns on the electric light, sighing, goes over to the bookcase,
takes out the volume of the encyclopedia wherein the diary of
Madams de Hauteville is hidden, opens it and reads standing. A
knock on the door. Frightened, he quickly hides the diary in his
side pocket.]
BEERMANN. Come in. [Justizrat Hauser enters on the left.]
HAUSER. Lord; good evening.
BEERMANN [hurrying toward him]. Lord; how glad I am that you have
come.
HAUSER. Has anything happened?
BEERMANN. N ... no.
HAUSER. I received your message that you must see me tonight
without fail.
BEERMANN. Yes, I was at your house twice.
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