Dragoons, which is the regiment in which we Ravensteins always serve.
And what's going to happen after that--whether I stay in the army or
become an archbishop--in due time, of course....
MIZZIE
That would probably be the best thing. The Ravensteins have always been
strong in the faith.
PHILIP
Yes, it's mentioned in the Universal History even. They were Catholic
at first; then they turned Protestant in the Thirty Years War; and
finally they became Catholic again--but they always remained strong in
their faith. It was only the faith that changed.
PRINCE
Philip, Philip!
MIZZIE
That's the spirit of the time, Prince Egon.
PRINCE
And an inheritance from his mother.
MIZZIE
You have been working hard, your father tells me, and have passed your
examinations with honors.
PHILIP
Well, that wasn't difficult, Countess. I seem to get hold of things
quickly. That's probably another result of the common blood in me. And
I had time to spare for things not in the school curriculum--such as
horseback riding and ...
MIZZIE
And what?
PHILIP
Playing the clarinet.
MIZZIE (_laughing_)
Why did you hesitate to tell about that?
PHILIP
Because.... Well, because everybody laughs when I say that I play the
clarinet. And so did you, too, Countess. Isn't that queer? Did anybody
ever laugh because you told him that you were painting for a diversion?
MIZZIE
So you have already heard about that?
PHILIP
Yes, indeed, Countess--papa told me. And besides, there is a floral
piece in my bedroom--a Chinese vase, you know, with a laburnum branch
and something purplish in color.
MIZZIE
That purplish stuff must be lilacs.
PHILIP
Oh, lilacs, of course. I saw that at once. But I couldn't recall the
name just now.
VALET (_entering_)
There is a lady who wishes to see the Count. I have showed her into the
drawing-room.
MIZZIE
A lady...? You'll have to excuse me for a moment, gentlemen. (_She goes
out_)
PHILIP
That's all right, papa--if it's up to me, I have no objection.
PRINCE
To what? Of what are you talking?
PHILIP
I have no objection to your choice.
PRINCE
Have you lost your senses, boy?
PHILIP
But really, papa, do you think you can hide anything from me? That
common blood in me, you know....
PRINCE
What put such an idea into your head?
PHILIP
Now look here, papa! You have been telling me how anxious you were to
introduce me to your old friend, the Count. And then the Count has a
daughter--which I have known all the time, by the way.... The one thing
I feared a little was that she might be too young.
PRINCE (_offended, and yet unable to keep serious_)
Too young, you say....
PHILIP
It was perfectly plain that you had a certain weakness for that
daughter.... Why, you used to be quite embarrassed when talking of her.
And then you have been telling me all sorts of things about her that
you would never have cared to tell otherwise. What interest could I
have in the pictures of a Countess X-divided-by-anything, for
instance--supposing even that you _could_ tell her lilacs from her
laburnums by their color? And, as I said, my one fear was that she
might be too young--as my mother, that is, and not as your wife. Of
course, there is not yet anybody too young or beautiful for you. But
now I can tell you, papa, that she suits me absolutely as she is.
PRINCE
Well, if you are not the most impudent rogue I ever came across...! Do
you really think I would ask you, if I should ever....
PHILIP
Not exactly ask, papa ... but a happy family life requires that all the
members affect each other sympathetically ... don't you think so?
[_Mizzie and Lolo Langhuber enter._
MIZZIE
You must look around, please. I am sure my father would be very sorry
to miss you. (_She starts to make the usual introductions_) Permit me
to....
LOLO
Oh, Your Highness.
PRINCE
Well, Miss Pallestri....
LOLO
Langhuber, if you please. I have come to thank the Count for the
magnificent flowers he sent me at my farewell performance.
PRINCE (_introducing_)
My son Philip. And this is Miss ...
LOLO
Charlotta Langhuber.
PRINCE (_to Philip_)
Better known as Miss Pallestri.
PHILIP
Oh, Miss Pallestri! Then I have already had the pleasure....
PRINCE
What?
PHILIP
You see, I have Miss Pallestri in my collection.
PRINCE
What ... what sort of collection is that?
LOLO
There must be some kind of mistake here, Your Highness. I can not
recall....
PHILIP
Of course, you can't, for I don't suppose you could feel that I was
cutting out your picture from a newspaper at Krems?
LOLO
No, thank heaven!
PHILIP
It was one of our amusements at school, you know. There was one who cut
out all the crimes and disasters he could get hold of.
LOLO
What a dreadful fellow that must have been!
PHILIP
And there was one who went in for historical personalities, like North
Pole explorers and composers and that kind of people. And I used to
collect theatrical ladies. Ever so much more pleasant to look at, you
know. I have got two hundred and thirteen--which I'll show you
sometime, papa. Quite interesting, you know. With a musical comedy star
from Australia among the rest.
LOLO
I didn't know Your Highness had a son--and such a big one at that.
PHILIP
Yes, I have been hiding my light under a bushel so far.
PRINCE
And now you are trying to make up for it, I should say.
LOLO
Oh, please let him, Your Highness. I prefer young people like him to be
a little _vif_.
PHILIP
So you are going to retire to private life, Miss Pallestri? That's too
bad. Just when I might have the pleasure at last of seeing you on those
boards that signify the world....
LOLO
That's awfully kind of Your Highness, but unfortunately one hasn't time
to wait for the youth that's still growing. And the more mature ones
are beginning to find my vintage a little out of date, I fear.
PRINCE
They say that you are about to be married.
LOLO
Yes, I am about to enter the holy state of matrimony.
PHILIP
And who is the happy man, if I may ask?
LOLO
Who is he? Why, he is waiting outside now--with that carriage.
MIZZIE
Why--a coachman?
LOLO
But, Countess--a coachman, you say?! Only in the same manner as when
your papa himself--beg your pardon!--happens to be taking the bay out
for a spin at times. Cab owner, that's what my fiance is--and house
owner, and a burgess of Vienna, who gets on the box himself only when
it pleases him and when there is somebody of whom he thinks a whole
lot. Now he is driving for a certain Baron Radeiner--whom he has just
brought out here to see your father, Countess. And I am having my
doubts about that Baron Radeiner.
PHILIP
Permit me to introduce myself--Baron Radeiner.
LOLO
So that's you, Your Highness?
PHILIP
I have let nobody but Wasner drive me since I came here.
LOLO
And under an assumed name at that, Your Highness? Well, we are finding
out a lot of nice things about you!
COUNT (_appears, very hot_)
Well, here I am. (_Taking in the situation_) Ah!
LOLO
Your humble servant, Count! I have taken the liberty--I wanted to thank
you for the magnificent flowers.
COUNT
Oh, please--it was a great pleasure....
PRINCE
And here, old friend, is my son Philip.
PHILIP
I regard myself as greatly honored, Count.
COUNT (_giving his hand to Philip_)
I bid you welcome to my house. Please consider yourself at home
here.--I don't think any further introductions are required.
MIZZIE
No, papa.
COUNT (_slightly embarrassed_)
It's very charming of you, my dear lady. Of course, you know better
than anybody that I have always been one of your admirers.... But tell
me, please, how in the world did you get out here? I have just been
taking a walk along the main road, where every carriage has to pass,
and I didn't see you.
LOLO
What do you take me for, Count? My cab days are past now. I came by the
train, which is the proper thing for me.
COUNT
I see.... But I hear that your fiance himself....
LOLO
Oh, he has more pretentious customers to look after.
PHILIP
Yes, I have just had the pleasure of being conducted here by the fiance
of Miss Pallestri.
COUNT
Is Wasner driving for you? Well, that settles it--of course--clear
psychological connection! (_Offers his cigar case_) Want a smoke?
PHILIP (_accepting_)
Thank you.
PRINCE
But, Philip...! A monster like that before lunch!
COUNT
Excellent. Nothing better for the health. And I like you. Suppose we
sit down.
[_The Count, the Prince and Philip seat themselves, while Mizzie and
Lolo remain standing close to them._
COUNT
So you'll be off with your father to-morrow?
PHILIP
Yes, Count. And I'm tremendously pleased to think of it.
COUNT
Will you be gone long?
PRINCE
That depends on several circumstances.
PHILIP
I have to report myself at the regiment on the first of October.
PRINCE
And it's possible that I may go farther south after that.
COUNT
Well, that's news. Where?
PRINCE (_with a glance at Mizzie_)
Egypt, and the Sudan maybe--for a little hunting.
MIZZIE (_to Lolo_)
Let me show you the park.
LOLO
It's a marvel. Ours isn't a patch on it, of course. (_She and Mizzie
come forward_)
MIZZIE
Have you a garden at your place, too?
LOLO
Certainly. As well as an ancestral palace--at Ottakring.[7] The
great-grandfather of Wasner was in the cab business in his days
already.--My, but that's beautiful! The way those flowers are hanging
down. I must have something just like it.
[7] One of the factory districts of Vienna, known chiefly
because of the big insane asylum located there.
COUNT (_disturbed_)
Why are the ladies leaving us?
MIZZIE
Never mind, papa, I'm merely explaining the architecture of our facade.
PHILIP
Do you often get visits of theatrical ladies, Count?
COUNT
No, this is merely an accident.
[_The men stroll off toward those parts of the garden that are not
visible._
MIZZIE
It seems strange that I have never before had a chance of meeting you.
I am very glad to see you.
LOLO (_with a grateful glance_)
And so I am. Of course, I have known you by sight these many years.
Often and often have I looked up at your box.
MIZZIE
But not at me.
LOLO
Oh, that's all over now.
MIZZIE
Do you know, I really feel a little offended--on _his_ behalf.
LOLO
Offended, you say...?
MIZZIE
It will be a hard blow for him. Nobody knows better than I how deeply
he has been attached to you. Although he has never said a word to me
about it.
LOLO
Do you think it's so very easy for me either, Countess? But tell me.
Countess, what else could I do? I am no longer a spring chicken, you
know. And one can't help hankering for something more settled. As long
as I had a profession of my own, I could allow myself--what do they
call it now?--to entertain liberal ideas. It goes in a way with the
position I have held. But how would that look now, when I am retiring
to private life?
MIZZIE
Oh, I can see that perfectly. But what is _he_ going to do now?
LOLO
Why shouldn't he marry, too? I assure you, Countess, that there are
many who would give all their five fingers.... Don't you realize,
Countess, that I, too, have found it a hard step to take?
MIZZIE
Do you know what I have been wondering often? Whether he never thought
of making _you_ his wife?
LOLO
Oh, yes, that's just what he wanted.
MIZZIE
Why...?!
LOLO
Do you know when he asked me the last time, Countess? Less than a month
ago.
MIZZIE
And you said no?
LOLO
I did. It would have done no good. Me a Countess! Can you imagine it? I
being your stepmother, Countess...! Then we could not have been
chatting nicely as we are doing now.
MIZZIE
If you only knew how sympathetically you affect me....
LOLO
But I don't want to appear better than I am. And who knows what I
might....
MIZZIE
What might you?
LOLO
Well, this is the truth of it. I have gone clear off my head about
Wasner. Which I hope won't make you think the worse of me. In all these
eighteen years I have had nothing to blame myself with, as far as your
dear papa is concerned. But you can't wonder if my feelings began to
cool off a little as the years passed along. And rather than to make
your dear papa--oh, no, no, Countess ... I owe him too much gratitude
for that.... Lord!
MIZZIE
What is it?
LOLO
There he is now, looking right at me.
MIZZIE (_looks in the direction indicated_)
WASNER (_who has appeared at the entrance, raises his tall hat in
salute_)
LOLO
Don't you think me an awful fool, Countess? Every time I catch sight of
him suddenly, my heart starts beating like everything. Yes, there's no
fool like an old one.
MIZZIE
Old...? Do you call yourself old? Why, there can't be much difference
between us.
LOLO
Oh, mercy.... (_With a glance at Mizzie_)
MIZZIE
I am thirty-seven.--No, don't look at me with any pity. There is no
cause for that. None whatever.
LOLO (_apparently relieved_)
I have heard some whispers. Countess--of course, I didn't believe
anything. But I thank heaven it was true. (_They shake hands_)
MIZZIE
I should like to congratulate your fiance right now, if you'll permit
me.
LOLO
That's too sweet of you--but what about the Count--perhaps he wouldn't
like...?
MIZZIE
My dear, I have always been accustomed to do as I pleased. (_They go
together toward the entrance_)
WASNER
You're too kind, Countess....
[_The Count, the Prince and Philip have reappeared in the meantime._
COUNT
Look at that, will you!
WASNER
Good morning, Count. Good morning, Highness.
PRINCE
I say, Wasner, you may just as well take your bride home in that trap
of yours. My son is coming with me.
WASNER
Your son...?
PHILIP
Why haven't you told me that you were engaged, Wasner?
WASNER
Well, there are things you haven't told either ... Mr. von Radeiner!
COUNT (_to Lolo_)
Thank you very much for your friendly visit, and please accept my very
best wishes.
LOLO
The same to you, Count. And I must say, that when one has such a
daughter....
MIZZIE
It's too bad I haven't come to know you before.
LOLO
Oh, really, Countess....
MIZZIE
Once more, my dear Miss Lolo, good luck to you! (_Mizzie embraces
Lolo_)
COUNT (_looks on with surprise and some genuine emotion_)
LOLO
I thank you for the kind reception, Count--and good-by!
COUNT
Good-by, Miss Langhuber. I trust you'll be happy ... indeed I do, Lolo.
LOLO (_gets into the carriage which has driven up to the gate in the
meantime_)
WASNER (_is on the box, hat in hand; they drive off_)
MIZZIE (_waves her hand at them as they disappear_)
PHILIP (_who has been standing in the foreground with the Prince_) Oh,
my dear papa, I can see through the whole story.
PRINCE
You can?
PHILIP
This Miss Lolo must be the natural daughter of the Count, and a sister
of the Countess--her foster-sister, as they say.
PRINCE
No, you would call that a step-sister. But go on, Mr. Diplomat.
PHILIP
And of course, both are in love with you--both the Countess and the
ballet dancer. And this marriage between the dancer and Wasner is your
work.
PRINCE
Go on.
PHILIP
You know--there's something I never thought of until just now!
PRINCE
What?
PHILIP
I don't know if I dare?
PRINCE
Why so timid all at once?
PHILIP
Supposing my mother was not dead....
PRINCE
H'm....
PHILIP
And, through a remarkable combination of circumstances, she should now
be going back to the city in the very carriage that brought me out
here...? And suppose it should be my own mother, whose picture I cut
out of that newspaper...?
PRINCE
My lad, you'll certainly end as a cabinet minister--Secretary of
Agriculture, if nothing better.--But now it's time for us to say
good-by.
[_The Count and Mizzie are coming forward again._
PRINCE
Well, my dear friend, this must be our farewell call, I am sorry to
say.
COUNT
But why don't you stay.... That would be delightful ... if you could
take lunch with us....
PRINCE
Unfortunately, it isn't possible. We have an appointment at
Sacher's.[8]
[8] A fashionable restaurant near the Imperial Palace in the
Inner City.
COUNT
That's really too bad. And shall I not see you at all during the
Summer?
PRINCE
Oh, we shall not be entirely out of touch.
COUNT
And are you starting to-morrow already?
PRINCE
Yes.
COUNT
Where are you going?
PRINCE
To the sea shore--Ostend.
COUNT
Oh, you are bound for Ostend. I have long wanted to go there.
PRINCE
But that would be fine....
COUNT
What do you think, Mizzie? Let's be fashionable. Let's go to Ostend,
too.
MIZZIE
I can't answer yet. But there's no reason why you shouldn't go, papa.
PHILIP
That would be delightful, Countess. It would please me awfully.
MIZZIE (_smiling_)
That's very kind of you, Philip. (_She holds out her hand to him_)
PHILIP (_kisses her hand_)
COUNT (_to the Prince_)
The children seem to get along beautifully.
PRINCE
Yes, that's what I have been thinking. Good-by then. Good-by, my dear
Mizzie. And good-by to you, my dear old fellow. I hope at least to see
_you_ again at Ostend.
COUNT
Oh, she'll come along. Won't you, Mizzie? After all, you can get
studios by the sea shore, too. Or how about it, Mizzie?
MIZZIE (_remains silent_)
PRINCE
Well, until we meet again! (_He shakes hands with the Count and
Mizzie_)
PHILIP (_kisses the hand of Mizzie once more_)
COUNT (_giving his hand to Philip_)
It has been a great pleasure.
[_The Prince and Philip go out through the gate and step into the
carriage which has been driving up in the meantime, and which now
carries them off. The Count and Mizzie come forward again and seat
themselves at the table under the tree. Pause._
COUNT
Hasn't this been a queer day?
MIZZIE
All life is queer--only we forget it most of the time.
COUNT
I suppose you're right. (_Pause_)
MIZZIE
You know, papa, you might just as well have brought us together a
little earlier.
COUNT
Who? Oh, you and....
MIZZIE
Me and Miss Lolo. She's a dear.
COUNT
So you like her? Well, if it were only possible to know in advance....
But what's the use? Now it's all over.
MIZZIE (_takes hold of his hand_)
COUNT (_rises and kisses her on the forehead; strolls about aimlessly
for a few seconds_) Tell me, Mizzie, what you think.... How do you like
the boy?
MIZZIE
Philip? Oh, rather fresh.
COUNT
Fresh, perhaps, but smart. I hope he'll stay in the army. That's a much
more sensible career than the diplomatic service. Slow, but sure. All
you need is to live long enough in order to become a general. But a
political career.... Now look at Egon ... three times he has almost
become a minister.... And suppose he had succeeded? (_Walking back and
forth_) Yes, yes ... we shall be rather lonely this Summer.
MIZZIE
But why shouldn't you go to Ostend, papa?
COUNT
Yes, why not...? Really, won't you come along? It would be rather ...
without you, you know.... It's no use looking at me like that. I know!
I haven't paid as much attention to you in the past as I should
have....
MIZZIE (_taking his hand again_)
Oh, papa, you're not going to apologize, are you? I understand
perfectly.
COUNT
Oh, well. But, you see, I shall not get much joy out of that trip
without you. And what would you be doing here, all by yourself? You
can't paint all day long.
MIZZIE
The only trouble is ... the Prince has asked me to marry him.
COUNT
What? Is it possible? No, you don't mean.... And ... and you said no?
MIZZIE
Practically.
COUNT
You did...? Oh, well.... After all, I have never tried to persuade you.
It must be as you.... But I can't understand why. I have noticed for a
long time, that he.... As far as age is concerned, you wouldn't be
badly matched. And as for the rest ... sixty millions are not to be
despised exactly. But just as you say.
MIZZIE (_remains silent_)
COUNT
Or could it possibly be on account of the boy? That would be to
exaggerate the matter, I assure you. Things of that kind occur in the
very best families. And particularly when you consider that his heart
always remained with his wife.... All of a sudden you get dragged into
an affair of that kind without exactly knowing how.
MIZZIE
And some poor girl of the people is thrown aside and allowed to go to
the dogs.
COUNT
Oh, please, that's only in the books. And how could he help it? That
kind of women seem always to die off early. And who knows what he might
have done, if she hadn't died.... I really think that his action in
regard to the boy has been pretty decent. That took courage, you know.
I could tell you more than one case.... But don't let us talk of it. If
that should be the only thing against him, however.... And besides, our
being together at Ostend wouldn't commit you in any way.
MIZZIE
No, that's true.
COUNT
Well, then ... I tell you what. You make the trip with me. And if the
place suits you, you can stay. If not, you can go on to London for a
visit with Aunt Lora. I mean simply, that there is no sense in your
letting me go away alone.
MIZZIE
All right.
COUNT
What do you mean?
MIZZIE
I'll go with you. But without any obligation--absolutely free.
COUNT
You'll come with me, you say?
MIZZIE
I will, papa.
COUNT
Oh, I'm so glad. Thank you, Mizzie.
MIZZIE
Why should you thank me? It's a pleasure to me.
COUNT
You can't imagine, of course ... without you, Mizzie.... There would be
so much to remember--this time in particular.... You know, of course,
that I took Lolo to Normandy last year?
MIZZIE
Of course, I know....
COUNT
And as far as Egon is concerned ... not that I want to persuade you by
any means ... but in a strange place like that you often get more
acquainted with a person in a couple of days than during many years at
home.
MIZZIE
It's settled now that I go with you, papa. And as for the rest, don't
let us talk of it--for the time being.
COUNT
Then, you know, I'm going to telephone to the ticket office at once and
reserve sleeping car compartments for the day after to-morrow--or for
to-morrow.
MIZZIE
Are you in such a hurry?
COUNT
What's the use of sitting about here, once we have made up our minds?
So I'll telephone.... Does that suit you?
MIZZIE
Yes.
COUNT (_puts his arms about her_)
PROFESSOR WINDHOFER (_appears at the garden gate_)
COUNT
Why, there's the professor. Have you a lesson to-day?
MIZZIE
I had forgotten it, too.
PROFESSOR (_handsome; about thirty-five; his beard is blond and trimmed
to a point; he is very carefully dressed, and wears a gray overcoat; he
takes off his hat as he enters the garden and comes forward_)
Good morning, Countess. How do you do, Count?
COUNT
Good morning, my dear Professor, and how are you? You have to pardon
me. I was just about to go to the telephone--we are going away, you
know.
PROFESSOR
Oh, are you going away? Please, don't let me detain you.
COUNT
I suppose I shall see you later, Professor. (_He goes into the house_)
PROFESSOR
So you are going away, Countess?
MIZZIE
Yes, to Ostend.
PROFESSOR
That's rather a sudden decision.
MIZZIE
Yes, rather. But that's my way.
PROFESSOR
That means an end to the lessons for the present, I suppose? Too bad.
MIZZIE
I don't think I shall be able to-day even ... I am feeling a little
upset.
PROFESSOR
Do you?--Well, you look rather pale, Maria.
MIZZIE
Oh, you think so?
PROFESSOR
And how long will you be gone?
MIZZIE
Until the Fall probably--perhaps until very late in the Fall even.
PROFESSOR
Then we can resume our lessons next November at the earliest, I
suppose?
MIZZIE (_smiling_)
I don't think we shall....
PROFESSOR
Oh, you don't think so? (_They look hard at each other_)
MIZZIE
No, I don't.
PROFESSOR
Which means, Maria--that I am discharged.
MIZZIE
How can you put it that way, Rudolph? That is not quite fair.
PROFESSOR
Pardon me. But it really came a little more suddenly than I had
expected.
MIZZIE
Better that than have it come too slow. Don't you think so?
PROFESSOR
Well, girl, I have no intention whatever to make any reproaches.
MIZZIE
Well, you have no reason. And it wouldn't be nice either. (_She holds
out her hand to him_)
PROFESSOR (_takes her hand and kisses it_)
Will you please excuse me to the Count?
MIZZIE
Are you going already...?
PROFESSOR (_unconcernedly_)
Isn't that better?
MIZZIE (_after a pause, during which she looks straight into his eyes_)
Yes, I think so. (_They shake hands_)
PROFESSOR
Good luck, Maria.
MIZZIE
Same to you.... And remember me to your wife and the children.
PROFESSOR
I won't forget, Countess. (_He goes out_)
MIZZIE (_remains on the same spot for a little while, following him
with her eyes_)
COUNT (_on the terrace_)
Everything is ready. We'll leave at nine-thirty to-morrow night.--But
what has become of the professor?
MIZZIE
I sent him away.
COUNT
Oh, you did?--And can you guess who has the compartment between yours
and mine?... Egon and his young gentleman. Won't they be surprised
though?
MIZZIE
Yes ... won't they? (_She goes into the house_)