What can there be the matter?
An idle fancy, that is all! The care of loving hearts surrounds you.
Why should you have such a wild imagination? You had better return to
your apartment and do not receive any one. I will come to see you in a
moment.
Stella.--Then truly there is nothing bad?
Doctor.--What an idea! Pray believe me, I should be able to remove
anything which would threaten your happiness.
Stella (stretching out her hand to him).--Oh, Mr. Jozwowicz, happiness
is a very difficult thing to take hold of. May only the peace not
leave us. (She goes to enter the room in which Anton is.)
Doctor.--This way, princess. Some one is waiting for me in that room.
In a moment I will come to see you. Pray do not receive any one.
Anton! (The princess goes out.)
SCENE V.
Anton, Jozwowicz, then a Servant.
Anton.--Here I am. Poor child!
Doctor.--I cannot go for her sake. I must be here and not let the bad
news reach her, for it would kill her.
Anton.--What! and you, knowing this, you still expose her, and
sacrifice her for yourself?
Doctor (passionately).--I love her and I must have her, even if the
walls of this house should crumble around our heads.
Anton.--Man, you are talking nonsense.
Doctor.--Man, you are talking like a nincompoop, and not like a man.
You have plenty of words in your mouth, but you lack strength--you
cannot face facts.
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