PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Softly, urgently.] Does repentance come too late, now?

IRENE.

[Does not answer, but sits silent for a moment; then she points over the upland.] Look there, Arnold,—­now the sun is going down behind the peaks.  See what a red glow the level rays cast over all the heathery knolls out yonder.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Looks where she is pointing.] It is long since I have seen a sunset in the mountains.

IRENE.

Or a sunrise?

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

A sunrise I don’t think I have ever seen.

IRENE.

[Smiles as though lost in recollection.] I once saw a marvellously lovely sunrise.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

Did you?  Where was that?

IRENE.

High, high up on a dizzy mountain-top.—­You beguiled me up there by promising that I should see all the glory of the world if only I—–­

    [She stops suddenly.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

If only you—?  Well?

IRENE.

I did as you told me—­went with you up to the heights.  And there I fell upon my knees and worshipped you, and served you. [Is silent for a moment; then says softly.] Then I saw the sunrise.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Turning at him with a scornful smile.] With you—­and the other woman?

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Urgently.] With me—­as in our days of creation.  You could open all that is locked up in me.  Can you not find it in your heart, Irene?

IRENE.

[Shaking her head.] I have no longer the key to you, Arnold.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

You have the key!  You and you alone possess it! [Beseechingly.] Help me—­that I may be able to live my life over again!

IRENE.

[Immovable as before.] Empty dreams!  Idle—­dead dreams.  For the life you and I led there is no resurrection.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Curtly, breaking off.] Then let us go on playing.

IRENE.

Yes, playing, playing—­only playing!

    [They sit and strew leaves and petals over the brook, where they
       float and sail away.