SONIA. It is time to forget that. [A pause] Tell me, doctor, if I
had a friend or a younger sister, and if you knew that she,
well--loved you, what would you do?

ASTROFF. [Shrugging his shoulders] I don't know. I don't think I
should do anything. I should make her understand that I could not
return her love--however, my mind is not bothered about those
things now. I must start at once if I am ever to get off.
Good-bye, my dear girl. At this rate we shall stand here talking
till morning. [He shakes hands with her] I shall go out through
the sitting-room, because I am afraid your uncle might detain me.
[He goes out.]

SONIA. [Alone] Not a word! His heart and soul are still locked
from me, and yet for some reason I am strangely happy. I wonder
why? [She laughs with pleasure] I told him that he was well-bred
and handsome and that his voice was sweet. Was that a mistake? I
can still feel his voice vibrating in the air; it caresses me.
[Wringing her hands] Oh! how terrible it is to be plain! I am
plain, I know it. As I came out of church last Sunday I overheard
a woman say, "She is a dear, noble girl, but what a pity she is
so ugly!" So ugly!

HELENA comes in and throws open the window.

HELENA. The storm is over. What delicious air! [A pause] Where is
the doctor?

SONIA. He has gone. [A pause.]