(Pointing to Filipina). Are you going to allow Jaroslav to meet his evil fate? Will you permit Anezka to marry without a dowry, a poor man and struggling journalist? And will you, then, forget to have compassion even for me? From my very infancy, I have been accustomed to luxury, raised in it, and now my children are accustomed to it the same as I. Neither I, neither they, have the fortitude to endure misery and want. Will you allow the executioner to come here, within a few weeks, to drive us from our home like beggars, the butt of ridicule, laughed at by the rabble?
Dr. Svoboda.—Heaven help you and me also. I must keep the sanity of my mind. I cannot sell myself to an unprincipled act, therefore it is impossible for me to secure the dowry for Filipina.
Klementina—Then you will compel her to lose the hand of Mr. Scheffel, and . . . drive her to despair!
Filipina (Embracing her father fervently) —Father! You surely do not wish to make me unhappy the rest of my life! You are so fond of us all . . . and I have never disobeyed you in anything! I am your dutiful daughter, I respect you for your nobility of purpose! But I am deeply in love with Mr. Scheffel . . . I could be so happy with him! Help me win the husband of my choice! With the dowry you would give him, he could make my happiness secure, and he may yet become a prop to mother and yourself! Do not drive me away to ceaseless regret and remorse! It would finally end in despair!
Dr. Svoboda—Child! . . . Filipina! Give me a moment . . . let me have a moment’s calm, a breath . . .
Filipina.—And will you promise, then, papa, to make my marriage possible? Will you bear in mind the happiness of your Filipina?
Dr. Svoboda.—I cannot promise . . . I dare not, lest I break my word to you!
Filipina.—My happiness! Gone! (Walks weakly to the rear, and falls into a chair.)
Klementina (To Dr. Svoboda).—Look about you, and open your eyes to the misery which you are summoning forth everywhere like a lunatic! Do you wish to destroy us all—me, the children, yourself—are you, then, going to be our executioneer?
Dr. Svoboda.—I wish to remain a self-respecting man who does not betray his honor, his convictions, his principles . . .
Jaroslav.—What madness is this!
