NOTE: This translation by Grace Isabel Colbron was first published in Reigen, The Affairs of Anatol and Other Plays. Arthur Schnitzler. New York: Boni & Liveright, Inc., 1917. It is now a public domain work and may be performed without royalties.
HENRI: I accompanied her to the theatre -- it was to be the last time -- I kissed her -- at the door. She went up to her dressing room -- I walked away like a man who has nothing to fear. But scarce a hundred paces from the house -- it began in me -- do you understand? -- a horrible unease -- something pulled and tugged at me to go back -- and I did turn and go back. Then I was ashamed and walked away again -- and again I was a hundred paces from the theatre -- and again it seized me and tore me -- and I returned again. Her scene was over -- she hasn't much to do -- she stands a short time on the stage -- half naked -- and then she is through. I stood before her dressing room -- I put my ear to the door and listened -- I heard whispering -- I could not hear the words. The whispering stopped -- I broke open the door. It was the Duke de Cadignan -- and I killed him --