Ellida, in her overwrought mood, is evidently inclining to
yield to the uncanny allurement of the Stranger's claim upon her, when
Wangel, realizing that her sanity is threatened, says:
WANGEL: It shall not come to that. There is no other way of
deliverance for you--at least I see none. And therefore--therefore
I--cancel our bargain on the spot. Now you can choose your own path,
in full--full freedom.
ELLIDA (_Gazes at him awhile, as if speechless_): Is this
true--true--what you say? Do you mean it--from your inmost heart?
WANGEL: Yes--from the inmost depths of my tortured heart, I mean
it.... Now your own true life can return to its--its right groove
again. For now you can choose in freedom; and on your own
responsibility, Ellida.
ELLIDA: In freedom--and on my own responsibility? Responsibility?
This--this transforms everything.
--and she promptly gives the Stranger his dismissal. Now this is
inevitably felt to be a weak conclusion, because it turns entirely on a
condition of Wangel's mind of which he gives no positive and convincing
evidence.
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