[After a moment of silence the upper door on R. is opened and Margaret is seen to return. She is dressed entirely in black, and is carrying the key in her hand. She steps into the room noiselessly, cautiously, fearfully; listens, then goes to the window at back, and after drawing the curtains carefully, opens it. The Park can be seen outside. It is a clear winters night.
[The girl steps out of the window into the garden and disappears. After another moment she returns, closes the window without fastening it, and comes noiselessly down to the desk. There she switches on the electric lamp and sits to write. As she writes she catches her breath in an effort to suppress her sobs. Then she picks up her paper and reads, in a low, tremulous whisper.
[Reading.] "Forgive me! I was compelled to deceive you—to deceive everybody. By the time you read this note you will know what I was asked to do, and what I have done. There was no other way. It was either your life—or mine. You are so necessary. I am nothing at all. But I can give my life for the life I love."
[The window at the back is pushed open and somebody steps into the room. It is Otto. Margaret hears him, rises, switches off the light. The boy's eyes are wild with frenzy. The following scene is played in rapid whispers.
