born would have been affected to the most dangerous extent if the
house of Bernick had gone to smash?

Lon: Then is it for the sake of the community that you have
maintained your position these fifteen years upon a lie?

Bernick: Upon a lie?

Lona: What does Betty know of all this...that underlies her union
with you?

Bernick: Do you suppose that I would hurt her feelings to no
purpose by disclosing the truth?

Lona: To no purpose, you say? Well, well--You are a man of
business; you ought to understand what is to the purpose. But
listen to me, Karsten--I am going to speak the plain truth now.
Tell me, are you really happy?

Bernick: In my family life, do you mean?

Lona: Yes.

Bernick: I am, Lona. You have not been a self-sacrificing friend
to me in vain. I can honestly say that I have grown happier every
year. Betty is good and willing; and if I were to tell you how,
in the course of years, she has learned to model her character on
the lines of my own--

Lona: Hm!