these are only moments which fill me with longing. (Quickly.) No, no, no, Mr. Dušek—I beg of you, don’t believe it!
Dušek (Firmly grips her hand).—I can’t control myself. And I believe in you even if you don’t believe in yourself. I am carried away by something stronger than an instant of intoxication and I’m too weak to free myself from its power. (Gently draws Helen’s hand to his bosom.) Do you hear the violin? (Helen bows her head. Dušek’s lips touch her hair.)
Dušek (With passionate eagerness).—The weeping of the violin is blended here with the perfume of your hair, with the warmth of your hand, with the revelation of your being. You, yourself, no longer have the power to lift the spell from me! (He kisses her hand passionately.)
Helen (Recovering).—No, no, no—Mr. Dušek, please don’t believe it! Don’t believe in this hour, don’t believe even in me! (The violin music ceases and applause is heard. Helen withdraws her hand from Dušek’s grasp. Merrily.) You gallant knights! You know well how to soar! And so ardently and sweetly! (Arises.)
Dušek (Gradually awakening from his intoxication).—You aren’t angry?
Helen (Cordially extending her hand).—Child! Why, did you say something so very wrong?
Dušek.—But you
Helen.—Did you not see that you might tell me?
Mrs. Fabian (Speaking behind the scenes).—Truly marvelous! Such a violin solo (Dušek in the meantine kisses Helen’s hand again and draws her close to him.) Thank you! (Touches her forehead with his lips.)
Helen (Freeing herself suddenly.)—Come, come—(Laughs.) or else they’ll catch us here like two lovers! (Seizes Dušek’s hand and draws him towards the other room. There they meet Mrs. Fabian and Mrs. Daneš.)
Mrs. Fabian (In perpetual exaltation).—Oh, Mr. Dušek, you missed that splendid violin solo! How could you miss it? You yourself an artist—why, you ought to have that much sympathy for another sort of art!”
Mrs. Daneš (Emitting her words crunchingly from between her teeth).—Mr. Dušek is satisfied with an obscure corner from which he may listen.
Helen (To Dušek).—Didn’t I say that they’d suspect us?
