[Irene advances from the right over the upland. The children at their play have already caught sight of her and run to meet her. She is now surrounded by them; some appear confident and at ease, others uneasy and timid. She talks low to them and indicates that they are to go down to the hotel; she herself will rest a little beside the brook. The children run down over the slope to the left, half way to the back. Irene goes up to the wall of rock, and lets the rillets of the cascade flow over her hands, cooling them.
Maia.
[In a low voice.] Go down and speak to her alone, Rubek. Professor Rubek. And where will you go in the meantime? Maia. [Looking significantly at him.] Henceforth I shall go my own ways. [She descends from the hillock and leaps over the brook, by aid of her alpenstock. She stops beside Irene.
Maia.
Professor Rubek is up there, waiting for you, madam.
