we dare not tear ourselves away from. So earth-bound are we, both of us, Rita.
Rita.
[With a gleam of joy.] Yes, you are, too, are you not! [Coming close to him.] Oh, let us live our life together as long as we can! Allmers. [Shrugging his shoulders.] Live our life, yes! And have nothing to fill life with. An empty void on all sides—wherever I look. Rita. [In fear.] Oh, sooner or later you will go away from me, Alfred! I feel it! I can see it in your face! You will go away from me. Allmers. With my fellow-traveller, do you mean? Rita. No, I mean worse than that. Of your own free will you will leave me—for you think it's only here, with me, that you have nothing to live for. Is not that what is in your thoughts? Allmers. [Looking steadfastly at her.] What if it were? [A disturbance, and the noise of angry, quarrelling voices is heard from down below, in the distance. Allmers goes to the railing.
