RITA. [With an outburst.] You have had some adventure on your
journey! Don't deny it! I can see it in your face!

ALLMERS. [Shaking his head.] No adventure in the world--outwardly
at least. But--

RITA. [Eagerly.] But--?

ALLMERS. It is true that within me there has been something of a
revolution.

RITA. Oh Heavens--!

ALLMERS. [Soothingly, patting her hand.] Only for the better, my
dear Rita. You may be perfectly certain of that.

RITA. [Seats herself on the sofa.] You must tell us all about it,
at once--tell us everything!

ALLMERS. [Turning to ASTA.] Yes, let us sit down, too, Asta. Then I
will try to tell you as well as I can.

[He seats himself on the sofa at RITA's side. ASTA moves a chair
forward, and places herself near him.]

RITA. [Looking at him expectantly.] Well--?

ALLMERS. [Gazing straight before him.] When I look back over my
life--and my fortunes--for the last ten or eleven years, it seems
to me almost like a fairy-tale or a dream. Don't you think so too,