SCENE 1

LEONARD (_writing at a table covered with documents_).

There’s the sixth sheet since dinner. How fine a man feels when he does his duty! Anybody could come into the room that liked, even the king himself--I would stand up, but I would not be embarrassed. Except for one man, that old joiner. But at bottom he can’t trouble me much. Poor Clara! I’m sorry for her. It disturbs me to think of her. If it hadn’t been for that one cursed evening. It was more jealousy than love that excited me, and I’m sure she only yielded to refute my reproaches, for she was as cold as death towards me. She has bad times ahead of her, and I shall have a lot of worry, too. Let each bear his lot. Above all things, I must make sure of that little humpbacked girl and not let her escape me when the storm breaks. Then I shall have the mayor on my side and need fear nothing.