THE MAKROPOULOS SECRET
act ii
Gregor
Come here, Emilia. We are going away. No one ever loved you so much as I—I know There is something desperate in you—something terrible, Emilia. But I am young and strong and I can bring love to you. Then you can forget and throw me away. Do you hear, Emilia? [Emilia has fallen asleep—she breathes heavily. Gregor rises in excitement] What is it? She’s asleep. Are you fooling? [He stretches out his hands] Emilia.
[He bends over her—The Scrubwoman enters and coughs warningly and severely]
Gregor
Who is it? Oh! The lady fell asleep. Don’t wake her.
[He kisses Emilia’s hand and hurries off]
Scrubwoman
[Coming near Emilia and silently looking at her]
I am kind of sorry for her.
[Shaking her head, she walks slowly away—Janek enters from the back of the stage. He comes down by the throne and stares at Emilia]
Emilia
Ah! Is it you, Berti?
Janek
No, please. It is just Janek.
[ 94 ]
