Only one thing can make it worth while, and do you know
what that is? Love. We'll struggle through fire and water for that; but
without it--[_Gesture._]
_Hoffman:_ [_Drawing Amelia to him._]
Don't listen to her, Amelia.
_Amelia:_ [_Pushing Hoffman violently from her, runs from the room._]
No, no, I can't marry you! I won't! I won't!
[_She shuts the door in his face._]
_Hedwig:_ [_Triumphantly._]
She will never be your war bride, Hans Hoffman!
_Hoffman:_ [_Suddenly, angrily._]
By thunder! I've made a discovery. You're the woman! You're the woman!
_Hedwig:_
What woman?
_Hoffman:_
Yesterday there were twenty war brides. The day before there were nearly
thirty. To-day there were only ten. There are rumors--[_Excitedly._]
I'll report you. They'll find you guilty. I myself can prove it.
_Hedwig:_
Well?
_Hoffman:_
I heard them say at the barracks that some one was talking the women out
of marrying. They didn't know who; but they said if they caught
her--caught any one talking as you have just now, daring to question the
wisdom of the emperor and his generals, the church, too,--she'd be
guilty of treason.
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