"
'The Countess listens in surprise and dismay. Is it possible
that the Baron is in earnest? He is horribly in earnest.
"The woman who will buy me," he says, "is in the next room to us
at this moment. She is the wealthy widow of a Jewish usurer.
She has the money I want to reach the solution of the great problem.
I have only to be that woman's husband, and to make myself master of untold
millions of gold. Take five minutes to consider what I have said to you,
and tell me on my return which of us is to marry for the money I want,
you or I."
'As he turns away, the Countess stops him.
'All the noblest sentiments in her nature are exalted to
the highest pitch. "Where is the true woman," she exclaims,
"who wants time to consummate the sacrifice of herself, when the man
to whom she is devoted demands it? She does not want five minutes--
she does not want five seconds--she holds out her hand to him,
and she says, Sacrifice me on the altar of your glory! Take as
stepping-stones on the way to your triumph, my love, my liberty,
and my life!"
'On this grand situation the curtain falls.
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