STRANGER. And I down; to the earth, the mother with the soft bosom
and warm lap. ...

CONFESSOR. Until you long once more for what's hard as stone, as
cold and as white ... Farewell! Greetings to those below!

(Each of them goes of in the direction he has chosen.)

Curtain.


SCENE III

A SMALL HOUSE ON THE MOUNTAIN

[A pleasant, panelled dining-room, with a tiled stove of majolica.
On the dining-table, which is in the middle of the room, stand
vases filled with flowers; also two candelabra with many lighted
candles. A large carved sideboard on the left. On the right, two
windows. At the back, two doors; that on the left is open and gives
a view of the drawing-room, belonging to the lady of the house,
which is furnished in light green and mahogany, and has a standard
lamp of brass with a large, lemon-coloured lampshade, which is lit.
The door on the right is closed. On the left behind the sideboard
the entrance from the hall.]

[From the left the STRANGER enters, dressed as a bridegroom; and
the LADY, dressed as a bride; both radiant with youth and beauty.]

STRANGER. Welcome to my house, beloved; to your home and mine, my