Margaret.
Yes, that too—for now I know that he is not
the heartless monster I supposed him to be, but
a tender father, an affectionate friend, a noble and
generous——
Fritz.
[With a crack of bitter laughter.] As I thought!
I warned you that a man like that might take advantage of a young girl, a beautiful girl—But is it
possible that exactly the reverse has happened—that you have fallen into your own trap—become his
worshipper, his slave, his plaything?
Margaret.
[Leaping up and lifting hands as if to strike him.]
Fritz! [Recovering herself.] But no matter! I will not do it.
[Fritz goes up, laughing bitterly. Dr. Schiller comes down again, his voice quivering, his hands trembling.
Doctor.
No, no, don't say that, Margaret. Fritz is to
blame—much to blame. He is mad with jealousy,
and doesn't know what he is saying. But come, let
us sit down and talk reasonably. [He draws Margaret
back to her seat and sits beside her.] Listen again, my
child. I speak to you as a father. In his personal
character this man Temple may be all you say. But
in his public character he is a merciless tyrant. So,
as an act of righteous retribution, to save our people
from further suffering, and put an end to this miserable
war——
