Sonia. I myself— [She embraces Helena] Let us make peace.
Helena. With all my heart. [They are both moved.
Sonia. Has papa gone to bed?
Helena. No, he is sitting up in the drawing-room. Heaven knows what reason you and I had for not speaking to each other for weeks. [Sees the open sideboard] Who left the sideboard open?
Sonia. Dr. Astroff has just had supper.
Helena. There is some wine. Let us seal our friendship.
Sonia. Yes, let us.
Helena. Out of one glass. [She fills a wine-glass] So, we are friends, are we?
Sonia. Yes. [They drink and kiss each other] I have long wanted to make friends, but somehow, I was ashamed to.
Helena. Why are you crying?
Sonia. I don’t know. It is nothing.
Helena. There, there, don’t cry. [She weeps] Silly! Now I am crying too. [A pause] You are angry with me because I seem to have married your father for his money, but don’t believe the gossip you hear. I swear to you I married him for love. I was fascinated by his fame and learning. I know now that it was not real love, but it seemed real at the time. I am innocent, and yet your clever, suspicious eyes have been punishing me for an imaginary crime ever since my marriage.
Sonia. Peace, peace! Let us forget the past.
Helena. You must not look so at people. It is not becoming to you. You must trust people, or life becomes impossible.
Sonia. Tell me truly, as a friend, are you happy?
Helena. Truly, no.
