Lenka.—O, if you only knew! If you—I had to; I could not act otherwise.
Valenta.—Is this my reception from you!
Lenka.—You did not write—
Valenta.—I wrote—but not a single letter from you did I get; and yet I never for a moment ceased to believe in you and to love you.
Lenka (Collects herself, gloomily).—It is done now.
Valenta.—Because something else has offered itself. You will be a doctor's lady!
Lenka (Painfully wounded).—You may think that if you wish! You will not believe, you do not know all that I have suffered. But it is useless to explain. (Starts.) The doctor!
Valenta.—You want me to go; you refuse to talk with me.
Lenka.—You should understand—
Valenta.—Did you? But I will go; I will not spoil your meeting— madam, the doctor's wife! (Hurries off to the right.)
(Lenka gazes after him, trembling, then sinks on the bench.)
Scene XVII
Mrs. Rettig, Dr. Pravec, Lenka
Mrs. Rettig has entered from the left, in the foreground, during Valenta's last speech. For a moment she watches Lenka's agitation and is about to approach her, but at that moment Dr. Pravec enters on the left, in the background. Mrs. Rettig hides behind a bush.
Plavec (Hat in hand).—You have waited a long time, my dove! (Lenka rises.) But just remain seated; I will sit down too. I have been running—
Lenka.—If you don't object, doctor, I should like to go home.
Plavec (Mopping his brow).—Home? I was looking forward to sitting here with you, but as you wish, my precious! (Gets up to leave.) But now, we'll go a trifle slower; I have been hurrying a bit, and that all for you—all for you, dear Lenka!
Lenka walks on in silence, with bowed head. They go out on the left in the rear.
Mrs. Rettig (Advances and gazes after them).—O happy bride!
