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Page 44
STRANGER. I don't know. It was the last one I wanted. I began to
long for it, in order to suffer.
LADY. And are you suffering?
STRANGER. Yes. I can no longer listen to singing, or look at
anything beautiful. During the day I hear the mill and see that
great panorama now expanding to embrace the universe. ... And, at
night ...
LADY. Why did you cry out in your sleep?
STRANGER. I was dreaming.
LADY. A real dream?
STRANGER. Terribly real. But you see what a curse is on me. I feel
I must describe it, and to no one else but you. Yet I daren't tell
you, for it would be rattling at the door of the locked chamber. ...
LADY. The past!
STRANGER. Yes.
LADY (simply). It's foolish to have any such secret place.
STRANGER. Yes. (Pause.)
LADY. And now tell me!
STRANGER. I'm afraid I must. I dreamed your first husband was
married to my first wife.
LADY. Only you could have thought of such a thing!
STRANGER. I wish it were so. (Pause.) I saw how he ill-treated my
children. (Getting up.) I put my hands to his throat. ... I can't
go on. ... But I shall never rest till I know the truth. And to
know it, I must go to him in his own house.
LADY. It's come to that?
STRANGER. It's been coming for some time. Nothing can now prevent
it. I must see him.
LADY. But if he won't receive you?
STRANGER. I'll go as a patient, and tell him of my sickness. ...
LADY (frightened). Don't do that!
STRANGER. You think he might be tempted to shut me up as mad! I
must risk it. I want to risk everything--life, freedom, welfare. I
need an emotional shock, strong enough to bring myself into the
light of day. I demand this torture, that my punishment may be in
just proportion to my sin, so that I shall not be forced to drag
myself along under the burden of my guilt. So down into the snake
pit, as soon as may be!
LADY. Could I come with you?
STRANGER. There's no need. My sufferings will be enough for both.
LADY. Then I'll call you my deliverer. And the curse I once laid on
you will turn into a blessing. Look! It's spring once more.
STRANGER. So I see. The Christmas rose there has begun to wither.
LADY. But don't you feel spring in the air?
STRANGER. The cold within isn't so great.
LADY. Perhaps the werewolf will heal you altogether.
STRANGER. We shall see. Perhaps he's not so dangerous, after all.
LADY. He's not so cruel as you.
STRANGER. But my dream. ...
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