I am your wife.

We vowed at the altar, that nothing save death should part us.

Have you forgotten it?
Have your children become mine?
Have I taught them, rejoiced to call myself their mother?
Yes, or no ?" "Yes, Maria, yes, yes, a hundred times yes!" "And you have the heart to throw me into the arms of this wasting longing! You wish to prevent me from keeping the most sacred of vows?
You can bring yourself to tear me from the children?
You think me too shallow and feeble, to endure suffering and death for the sacred cause, which is mine as well as yours! You are fond of calling me your child, but I can be strong, and whatever may come, will not weep.

You are the husband and have the right to command, I am only the wife and shall obey.

Shall I go?
Shall I stay?
I await your answer." She had uttered the last words in a trembling voice, but the burgomaster exclaimed with deep emotion: "Stay, stay, Maria! Come, come, and forgive me!" Peter seized her hand, exclaiming again: "Come, come!" But the young wife released herself, retreated a step and said beseechingly: "Let me go, Peter, I cannot; I need time to overcome this." He let his arms fall and gazed mournfully into her face, but she turned away and silently left the room.