GERARDO (alone, looking at his watch). Half an hour left. (Picks out
the piano arrangement of "Tristan and Isolde" from under the flowers on
the piano and, walking up and down, sings mezza voce:)
"Isolde! Beloved! Art thou mine?
Once more my own? May I embrace thee?"
(Clears his throat, strikes two thirds on the piano and begins anew:)
"Isolde! Beloved! Art thou mine?
Once more my own? ..."
(Clears his throat.) The air is simply infernal in here! (Sings:)
"Isolde! Beloved! ..."
I feel as if there were a leaden weight on me! I must have a breath of
fresh air, quick! (Goes to the window and tries to find the cord by
which to draw the curtain aside.) Where can that thing be?--On the
other side. There! (Draws the curtain aside quickly and seeing MISS
COEURNE before him, throws back his head in a sort of mild despair.)
Goodness gracious!