IRENE.

[In growing terror.] And she, the woman in black--she will come too.
For she must have missed me long ago. And then she will seize me,
Arnold! And put me in the strait-waistcoat. Oh, she has it with her,
in her box. I have seen it with my own eyes---


PROFESSOR RUBEK.

Not a soul shall be suffered to touch you.


IRENE.

[With a wild smile.] Oh no--I myself have a resource against that.


PROFESSOR RUBEK.

What resource do you mean?


IRENE.

[Drawing out the knife.] This!