When We Dead Awaken - LightNovelsOnl.com
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[Mastering herself.] So you and--and the other one live out there now?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[With a touch of defiance.] Yes. When my wife and I are not travelling--as we are this year.
IRENE.
[Looking far before her.] Life was beautiful, beautiful by the Lake of Taunitz.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[As though looking back into himself.] And yet, Irene--
IRENE.
[Completing his thought.] --yet we two let slip all that life and its beauty.
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 wors.h.i.+pped 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.
