Margaret.

Otto, is this necessary, inevitable ? Is there no escape from it?

Otto.
What escape should there be? It will be an act of justice and end the war.

Margaret.
The war will end as God wills it, Otto.

Otto.
Then there is father——

Margaret.
Father is dead. It will do him no good.

Otto.
There's you, too——

Margaret.
But you were wrong about that, Otto. And now that you are out of uncle's house, why not let me tell the Minister and cast ourselves on his mercy?

Otto.
[Bitterly.] His mercy!

Margaret.
He will forgive you—I'm sure he will. He will see that compulsion has been put upon you, and if you are in danger from the law—Oh, he is so wise, so generous——