[Looks inquiringly at her.] When—–?

IRENE.

When we dead awaken.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Shakes his head mournfully.] What do we really see then?

IRENE.

We see that we have never lived.

    [She goes towards the slope and descends.

    [The SISTER OF MERCY makes way for her and follows her.  PROFESSOR
       RUBEK remains sitting motionless beside the brook.

MAIA.

[Is heard singing triumphantly among the hills.]

               I am free!  I am free!  I am free! 
               No more life in the prison for me! 
               I am free as a bird!  I am free!

ACT THIRD.

[A wild riven mountain-side, with sheer precipices at the back. 
   Snow-clad peaks rise to the right, and lose themselves in drifting
   mists.  To the left, on a stone-scree, stands an old, half-ruined
   hut.  It is early morning.  Dawn is breaking.  The sun has not
   yet risen.

[MAIA comes, flushed and irritated, down over the stone-scree on the
   left.  ULFHEIM follows, half angry, half laughing, holding her
   fast by the sleeve.

MAIA.

[Trying to tear herself loose.] Let me go!  Let me go, I say!

ULFHEIM.

Come, Come! are you going to bite now?  You’re as snappish as a wolf.

MAIA.

[Striking him over the hand.] Let me, I tell you?  And be quiet!

ULFHEIM.

No, confound me if I will!

MAIA.

Then I will not go another step with you.  Do you hear?—­not a single step!

ULFHEIM.

Ho, ho!  How can you get away from me, here, on the wild mountain-side?

MAIA.

I will jump over the precipice yonder, if need be—–­

ULFHEIM.

And mangle and mash yourself up into dogs’-meat!  A juicy morsel! [Lets go his hold.] As you please.  Jump over the precipice if you want to.  It’s a dizzy drop.  There’s only one narrow footpath down it, and that’s almost impassable.

MAIA.

[Dusts her skirt with her hand, and looks at him with angry eyes.] Well, you are a nice one to go hunting with!

ULFHEIM.