MARIE.

[Sinking down by Magda.] Papa, give her your blessing, dear papa! [A smile transfigures his face. The pistol escapes from his hand. He raises his hand slowly to place it on Marie's head. In the midst of this motion a spasm goes through his body. His arm falls back, his head sinks.]


MRS. SCHWARTZE.

[Crying out.] Leopold!


HEFFTERDINGT.

[Taking her hand.] He has gone home. [He folds his hands. Silent prayer, broken by the sobbing of the women.]


MAGDA.

[Springing up and spreading out her arms in agony.] Oh, if I had only never come! [Heffterdingt makes a motion to beg her silence. She misunderstands.] Are you going to drive me away? His life was the cost of my coming. May I not stay now?


HEFFTERDINGT.

[Simply and peacefully. ] No one will hinder you from praying upon his grave.




[Curtain falls slowly.]





THE END.


FOOTNOTE:

Footnote 1: Without which officers in the German army may not marry.