Now let us speak openly, Miss Marie. I have been watching you all the evening. You appear to me--what shall I call it--like a mouse before a cat! You need a protector; some one in whom you can confide, some one----
And so you would like to be my father confessor! Eh, Pastor?
You know very well we do not have that institution in the Protestant Church, though at times it might prove a blessing----
[_Mischievously_.] And then again it might not?
You are quite right. We should all rely more upon ourselves----
[_With emphasis_.] I do that, Pastor, I do!
Yes, my dear Marie--pardon me, I should not have said that--and yet I must speak frankly with you; you seem to have a fear--a dread----
But supposing I were the cat, who would then be the mouse?
That would be sinful and wicked in you!!!
But one cannot be the cat and the mouse at the same time?
Yes, one can! But he who does, plays with his own destruction!
And if one destroys one's self, who cares?
You should not talk like that, Miss Marie.
Oh, it is all nonsense, all nonsense, for to-night is St. John's night. Do you see that fire yonder. Pastor? They had to put it out! But there, on the hill--look, there, there! How beautiful! How wild!
Yes, and when you look closely, it is nothing more than a mass of dirty lumber.
Like everything that blazes, except the sun----
You should not have said that, Pastor--you should not. I don't want it! I will not have you slander my St. John's fires! I want to enjoy it once--only once--then nevermore!!!
[_Disturbed_.] My dear Miss Marie, I do not understand the reason for your agitation, and I will not question you! But of your struggles--you shall know that you have a friend near you, on whom you can rely, now and for all time to come. Marie, I don't know how to express myself; but I desire to shield and protect you all your life--I will worship you----
Marie, I know I should not have spoken, at least not now. I should have waited--it was stupid of me, I know; but I have such a fear--a fear for you. You are going to the city to-night and I don't know what may happen! But you shall know before you go, where you belong and that your future is assured!
[_With a sigh of relief--almost a sob_.] Ah--ah--ah----!