Part 24 (1/2)

STRANGER. I feel ashamed of myself. It's the money.

LADY. You see! All these sufferings, all these tears... in vain!

STRANGER. Not in vain! It looks like spite, what happens here, but it's not that. I wronged the Invisible when I mistook...

LADY. Enough! No accusations.

STRANGER. No. It was my own stupidity or wickedness. I didn't want to be made a fool of by life. That's why I was! It was the elves...

LADY. Who made the change in you. Come. Let's go.

STRANGER. And hide ourselves and our misery in the mountains.

LADY. Yes. The mountains will hide us! (Pause.) But first I must go and light a candle to my good Saint Elizabeth. Come. (The STRANGER shakes his head.) Come!

STRANGER. Very well. I'll go through that way. But I can't stay.

LADY. How can you tell? Come. In there you shall hear new songs.

(The STRANGER follows her to the door of the church.)

STRANGER. It may be!

LADY. Come!

THE END.

PART II

CHARACTERS

THE STRANGER THE LADY THE MOTHER THE FATHER THE CONFESSOR THE DOCTOR CAESAR

less important figures MAID PROFESSOR RAGGED PERSON ANOTHER RAGGED PERSON FIRST WOMAN SECOND WOMAN WAITRESS POLICEMAN

SCENES

ACT I Outside the House

ACT II SCENE I Laboratory SCENE II The 'Rose' Room

ACT III SCENE I The Banqueting Hall SCENE II A Prison Cell SCENE III The 'Rose' Room

ACT IV SCENE I The Banqueting Hall SCENE II In a Ravine SCENE III The 'Rose' Room

ACT I