background represent a framework of glass enclosing the veranda.
The left side and the other half of the background represent the
stone walls of the house. To the left, in the foreground, a door;
another door in the background, at the left. On the left, back, a
buffet and serving-table. Neat little tables and small iron chairs
for visitors are placed about the veranda. On the right, in the
centre, a large telescope, standing on a tripod, is directed
through an open window._ ROSA, _dressed in the costume of the
country, is arranging flowers on the small tables_. FRAU LINDEMANN,
_a handsome, stoutish woman in the thirties, hurries in excitedly
from the left_.
FRAU LINDEMANN. There! Now she can come--curtains, bedding--everything
fresh and clean as new! No, this honor, this unexpected honor--! Barons
and counts have been here often enough. Even the Russian princes
sometimes come up from the Springs. I don't bother my head about
them--they're just like--that!--But a princess--a real princess!
ROSA. Perhaps it isn't a real princess after all.
FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Indignantly._] What? What do you mean by that!
ROSA. I was only thinking that a real princess wouldn't be coming to an
inn like this. Real princesses won't lie on anything but silks and
velvets. You just wait and see; it's a trick!
FRAU LINDEMANN. Are you going to pretend that the letter isn't genuine;
that the letter is a forgery?
ROSA. Maybe one of the regular customers is playing a joke. That
student, Herr Strübel, he's always joking. [_Giggles._
FRAU LINDEMANN. When Herr Strübel makes a joke he makes a decent joke, a
real, genuine joke. Oh, of course one has to pretend to be angry
sometimes--but as for writing a forged letter--My land!--a letter with a
gold crown on it--there! [_She takes a letter from her waist and
reads._] "This afternoon Her Highness, the Princess von Geldern, will
stop at the Fairview Inn, to rest an hour or so before making the
descent to the Springs. You are requested to have ready a quiet and
comfortable room, to guard Her Highness from any annoying advances, and,
above all, to maintain the strictest secrecy regarding this event, as
otherwise the royal visit will not be repeated. Baroness von Brook, maid
of honor to Her Highness." Now, what have you got to say?
ROSA. Herr Strübel lent me a book once. A maid of honor came into that,
too. I'm sure it's a trick!
FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Looking out toward the back._] Dear, dear, isn't that
Herr Strübel now, coming up the hill? To-day of all days! What on earth
does he always want up here?
ROSA. [_Pointedly._] He's in such favor at the Inn. He won't be leaving
here all day.
FRAU LINDEMANN. That won't do at all. He's got to be sent off. If I only
knew how I could--Oh, ho! I'll be disagreeable to him--that's the only
way to manage it!
[STRÜBEL _enters. He is a handsome young fellow without much
polish, but cheerful, unaffected, entirely at his ease, and
invariably good-natured._
STRÜBEL. Good day, everybody.
FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Sarcastically._] Charming day.
STRÜBEL. [_Surprised at her coolness._] I say! What's up? Who's been
rubbing you the wrong way? May I have a glass of beer, anyway? Glass of
beer, if you please! Several glasses of beer, if you please. [_Sits
down._] Pestiferously hot this afternoon.
FRAU LINDEMANN. [_After a pause._] H'm, H'm.
STRÜBEL. Landlady Linda, dear, why so quiet to-day?
FRAU LINDEMANN. In the first place, Herr Strübel, I would have you know
that my name is Frau Lindemann.
STRÜBEL. Just so.
FRAU LINDEMANN. And, secondly, if you don't stop your familiarity----
STRÜBEL. [_Singing, as_ ROSA _brings him a glass of beer_.]
"Beer--beer!"--Heavens and earth, how hot it is! [_Drinks._
FRAU LINDEMANN. If you find it so hot, why don't you stay quietly down
there at the Springs?
STRÜBEL. Ah, my soul thirsts for the heights--my soul thirsts for the
heights every afternoon. Just as soon as ever my sallow-faced pupil has
thrown himself down on the couch to give his red corpuscles a chance to
grow, "I gayly grasp my Alpine staff and mount to my beloved."
FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Scornfully._] Bah!
STRÜBEL. Oh, you're thinking that _you_ are my beloved? No, dearest; my
beloved stays down there. But to get nearer to her, I have to come up
here--up to your telescope. With the aid of your telescope I can look
right into her window--see?
ROSA. [_Laughing._] Oh, so that's why----
FRAU LINDEMANN. Perhaps you think I'm interested in all that? Besides,
I've no more time for you. Moreover, I'm going to have this place
cleaned right away. Good-by, Herr Strübel. [_Goes out._
STRÜBEL. [_Laughing._] I certainly caught it that time! See here, Rosa,
what's got into her head?
ROSA. [_Mysteriously._] Ahem, there are crowned heads and other
heads--and--ahem--there are letters _with_ crowns and letters _without_
crowns.
STRÜBEL. Letters--? Are you----?
ROSA. There are maids of honor--and other maids! [_Giggles._
STRÜBEL. Permit me. [_Tapping her forehead lightly with his finger._]
Ow! Ow!
ROSA. What's the matter?
STRÜBEL. Why, your head's on fire. Blow! Blow! And while you are getting
some salve for my burns, I'll just----
[_Goes to the telescope._
[_Enter_ FRAU VON HALLDORF, LIDDY, _and_ MILLY. FRAU VON HALLDORF
_is an aristocratic woman, somewhat supercilious and affected_.
LIDDY. Here's the telescope, mother. Now you can see for yourself.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. What a pity that it's in use just now.
STRÜBEL. [_Stepping back._] Oh, I beg of you, ladies--I have plenty of
time. I can wait.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_Condescendingly._] Ah, thanks so much. [_She goes up
to the telescope, while_ STRÜBEL _returns to his former place_.]
Waitress! Bring us three glasses of milk.
LIDDY. [_As_ MILLY _languidly drops into a chair_.] Beyond to the right
is the road, mother.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. Oh, I have found the road, but I see no
carriage--neither a royal carriage nor any other sort.
LIDDY. Let me look.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. Please do.
LIDDY. It has disappeared now.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. Are you quite sure that it was a royal carriage?
LIDDY. Oh, one has an instinct for that sort of thing, mother. It comes
to one in the cradle.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_As_ MILLY _yawns and sighs aloud_.] Are you sleepy,
dear?
MILLY. No, only tired. I'm always tired.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. Well, that's just why we are at the Springs. Do as the
princess does: take the waters religiously.
MILLY. The princess oughtn't to be climbing up such a steep hill either
on a hot day like this.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_More softly._] Well, you know why we are taking all
this trouble. If, by good luck, we should happen to meet the
princess----
LIDDY. [_Who has been looking through the telescope._] Oh, there it is
again!
FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_Eagerly._] Where? Where?
[_Takes_ LIDDY'S _place_.
LIDDY. It's just coming around the turn at the top.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. Oh, now I see it! Why, there's no one inside!
LIDDY. Well, then she's coming up on foot.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. [_To_ MILLY.] See, the princess is coming up on foot,
too. And she is just as anæmic as you are.
MILLY. If I were going to marry a grand-duke, and if I could have my own
carriage driven along beside me, I wouldn't complain of having to walk
either.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. I can't see a thing now.
LIDDY. You have to turn the screw, mother.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. I have been turning it right along, but the telescope
won't move.
LIDDY. Let me try.
STRÜBEL. [_Who has been throwing little wads of paper at_ ROSA _during
the preceding conversation_.] What are they up to?
LIDDY. It seems to me that you've turned the screw too far, mother.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. Well, what shall we do about it?
STRÜBEL. [_Rising._] Permit me to come to your aid, ladies. I've had
some experience with these old screws.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. Very kind--indeed.
[STRÜBEL _busies himself with the instrument_.
LIDDY. Listen, mother. If the carriage has almost reached the top the
princess can't be far off. Wouldn't it be best, then, to watch for them
on the road?
FRAU V. HALLDORF. Certainly, if you think that would be best, dear
Liddy.
STRÜBEL. This is not only an old screw, but it's a regular perverted old
screw.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. Ah, really? [_Aside to her daughters._] And if she
should actually speak to us at this accidental meeting--and if we could
present ourselves as the subjects of her noble fiancé, and tell her that
we live at her future home--just imagine what an advantage that would
give us over the other women of the court!
STRÜBEL. There, ladies! We have now rescued the useful instrument to
which the far-sightedness of mankind is indebted.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. Thanks, so much. Pardon me, sir, but have you heard
anything about the report that the princess is going to make the journey
up here to-day?
STRÜBEL. The princess? The princess of the Springs? The princess of the
lonely villa? The princess who is expected at the iron spring every
morning, but who has never been seen by a living soul? Why, I am
enormously interested. You wouldn't believe how much interested I am!
LIDDY. [_Who has looked out, back._] There--there--there--it is!
FRAU V. HALLDORF. The carriage?
LIDDY. It's reached the top already. It is stopping over there at the
edge of the woods.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. She will surely enter it there, then. Come quickly, my
dear children, so that it will look quite accidental. Here is your
money. [_She throws a coin to_ ROSA _and unwraps a small package done up
in tissue-paper, which she has brought with her_.] Here is a bouquet for
you--and here's one for you. You are to present these to the princess.
MILLY. So that it will look quite accidental--oh, yes!
[_All three go out._
STRÜBEL. Good heavens! Could I--? I don't believe it! Surely she
sits--well, I'll make sure right away--[_Goes up to the telescope and
stops._] Oh, I'll go along with them, anyhow.
[_Exit after them._
FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Entering._] Have they all gone--all of them?
ROSA. All of them.
FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Looking toward the right._] There--there--two ladies
and a lackey are coming up the footpath. Mercy me! How my heart is
beating!--If I had only had the sofa recovered last spring!--What am I
going to say to them?--Rosa, don't you know a poem by heart which you
could speak to the princess? [ROSA _shrugs her shoulders_.] They're
coming through the court now!--Stop putting your arms under your apron
that way, you stupid thing!--oh dear, oh dear----
[_The door opens._ A LACKEY _in plain black livery enters, and
remains standing at the door. He precedes_ THE PRINCESS _and_ FRAU
V. BROOK. THE PRINCESS _is a pale, sickly, unassuming young girl,
wearing a very simple walking costume and a medium-sized leghorn
hat trimmed with roses_. FRAU V. BROOK _is a handsome, stately,
stern-looking woman, in the thirties. She is well-dressed, but in
accordance with the simple tastes of the North German nobility._
FRAU V. BROOK. Who is the proprietor of this place?
FRAU LINDEMANN. At your command, your Highness.
FRAU V. BROOK. [_Reprovingly._] I am the maid of honor. Where is the
room that has been ordered?
FRAU LINDEMANN. [_Opens the door, left._] Here--at the head of the
stairs--my lady.
FRAU V. BROOK. Would your Highness care to remain here for a few
moments?
THE PRINCESS Very much, dear Frau von Brook.
FRAU V. BROOK. Edward, order what is needed for Her Highness, and see
that a room next to Her Highness is prepared for me. I may assume that
these are Your Highness's wishes?
THE PRINCESS. Why certainly, dear Frau von Brook.
[THE LACKEY, _who is carrying shawls and pillows, goes out with_ ROSA,
_left_.
THE PRINCESS. Mais puisque je te dis, Eugénie, que je n'ai pas sommeil.
M'envoyer coucher comme une enfant, c'est abominable.
FRAU V. BROOK. Mais je t'implore, chérie, sois sage! Tu sais, que c'est
le médecin, qui----
THE PRINCESS. Ah, ton médecin! Toujours cette corvée. Et si je te
dis----
FRAU V. BROOK. Chut! My dear woman, wouldn't it be best for you to
superintend the preparations?
FRAU LINDEMANN. I am entirely at your service.
[_About to go out, left._
FRAU V. BROOK. One thing more. This veranda, leading from the house to
the grounds--would it be possible to close it to the public?
FRAU LINDEMANN. Oh, certainly. The guests as often as not sit out under
the trees.
FRAU V. BROOK. Very well, then do so, please. [FRAU LINDEMANN _locks the
door_.] We may be assured that no one will enter this place?
FRAU LINDEMANN. If it is desired, none of us belonging to the house will
come in here either.
FRAU V. BROOK. We should like that.
FRAU LINDEMANN. Very well. [_Exit._
FRAU V. BROOK. Really, you must be more careful, darling. If that woman
had understood French--{SPACE}You must be careful!
THE PRINCESS. What would have been so dreadful about it?
FRAU V. BROOK. Oh, my dear child! This mood of yours, which is due to
nothing but your illness--that reminds me, you haven't taken your
peptonized milk yet--this is a secret which we must keep from every one,
above all from your fiancé. If the Grand Duke should discover----
THE PRINCESS. [_Shrugging her shoulders._] Well, what of it?
FRAU V. BROOK. A bride's duty is to be a happy bride. Otherwise----
THE PRINCESS. Otherwise?
FRAU V. BROOK. She will be a lonely and an unloved woman.
THE PRINCESS. [_With a little smile of resignation._] Ah!
FRAU V. BROOK. What is it, dear? [THE PRINCESS _shakes her head_.] And
then think of the strain of those formal presentations awaiting you in
the autumn! You must grow strong. Remember that you must be equal to the
most exacting demands of life.
THE PRINCESS. Of life? Whose life?
FRAU V. BROOK. What do you mean by that?
THE PRINCESS. Ah, what good does it do to talk about it?
FRAU V. BROOK. Yes, you are right. In my soul, too, there are unhappy
and unholy thoughts that I would rather not utter. From my own
experience I know that it is best to keep strictly within the narrow
path of duty.
THE PRINCESS. And to go to sleep.
FRAU V. BROOK. Ah, it isn't only that.
THE PRINCESS. Look out there! See the woods! Ah, to lie down on the
moss, to cover oneself with leaves, to watch the clouds pass by high
above----
FRAU V. BROOK. [_Softening._] We can do that, too, some-time.
THE PRINCESS. [_Laughing aloud._] Sometime!
[THE LACKEY _appears at the door_.
FRAU V. BROOK. Is everything ready?
[THE LACKEY _bows_.
THE PRINCESS. [_Aside to_ FRAU V. BROOK.] But I simply cannot sleep.
FRAU V. BROOK. Try to, for my sake. [_Aloud._] Does Your Highness
command----
THE PRINCESS. [_Smiling and sighing._] Yes, I command.
[_They go out, left._
[_The stage remains empty for several moments. Then_ STRÜBEL _is
heard trying the latch of the back door_.
STRÜBEL'S VOICE. Hullo! What's up! Why is this locked all of a sudden?
Rosa! Open up! I've got to look through the telescope! Rosa! Won't you?
Oh, well, I know how to help myself. [_He is seen walking outside of the
glass-covered veranda. Then he puts his head through the open window at
the right._] Not a soul inside? [_Climbs over._] Well, here we are. What
on earth has happened to these people? [_Unlocks the back door and looks
out._] Everything deserted. Well, it's all the same to me. [_Locks the
door again._] But let's find out right away what the carriage has to do
with the case.
[_Prepares to look through the telescope._ THE PRINCESS _enters
cautiously through the door at the left, her hat in her hand.
Without noticing_ STRÜBEL, _who is standing motionless before the
telescope, she goes hurriedly to the door at the back and unlocks
it_.
STRÜBEL. [_Startled at the sound of the key, turns around._] Why, how do
you do? [THE PRINCESS, _not venturing to move, glances back at the door
through which she has entered_.] Wouldn't you like to look through the
telescope a while? Please do. [THE PRINCESS, _undecided as to whether or
not she should answer him, takes a few steps back toward the door at the
left_.] Why are you going away? I won't do anything to you.
THE PRINCESS. [_Reassured._] Oh, I'm not going away.
STRÜBEL. That's right. But--where have you come from? The door was
locked. Surely you didn't climb through the window as I did?
THE PRINCESS. [_Frightened._] What? You came--through the window?----
STRÜBEL. Of course I did.
THE PRINCESS. [_Frightened anew._] Then I had rather----
[_About to go back._
STRÜBEL. Oh, my dear young lady, you just stay right here. Why, before
I'd drive you away I'd pitch myself headlong over a precipice!
THE PRINCESS. [_Smiling, reassured._] I only wanted to go out into the
woods for half an hour.
STRÜBEL. Oh, then you're a regular guest here at the Inn?
THE PRINCESS. [_Quickly._] Yes--yes, of course.
STRÜBEL. And of course you drink the waters down below?
THE PRINCESS. [_In a friendly way._] Oh, yes, I drink the waters. And
I'm taking the baths, too.
STRÜBEL. Two hundred metres up and down every time! Isn't that very hard
on you? Heavens! And you look so pale! See here, my dear young lady,
don't you do it. It would be better for you to go down there--that
is--{SPACE}Oh, forgive me! I've been talking without thinking. Of
course, you have your own reasons--{SPACE}It's decidedly cheaper up
here. _I_ know how to value a thing of that sort. I've never had any
money in all my life!
THE PRINCESS. [_Trying to seem practical._] But when one comes to a
watering-place, one must have money.
STRÜBEL. [_Slapping himself on the chest._] Do I look to you as if I
drank iron? Thank Heaven, I can't afford such luxuries! No; I'm only a
poor fellow who earns his miserable pittance during vacation by acting
as a private tutor--that's to say, "miserable" is only a figure of
speech, for in the morning I lie abed until nine, at noon I eat five and
at night seven courses; and as for work, I really haven't a thing to do!
My pupil is so anæmic--why, compared to him, _you're_ fit for a circus
rider!
THE PRINCESS. [_Laughing unrestrainedly._] Oh, well, I'm rather glad I'm
not one.
STRÜBEL. Dear me, it's a business like any other.
THE PRINCESS. Like any other? Really, I didn't think that.
STRÜBEL. And pray, what did you think then?
THE PRINCESS. Oh, I thought that they were--an entirely different sort
of people.
STRÜBEL. My dear young lady, all people are "an entirely different
sort." Of course _we_ two aren't. We get along real well together, don't
we? As poor as church mice, both of us!
THE PRINCESS. [_Smiling reflectively._] Who knows? Perhaps that's true.
STRÜBEL. [_Kindly._] Do you know what? If you want to stay down
there--I'll tell you how one can live cheaply. I have a friend, a
student like myself. He's here to mend up as you are. I feed him up at
the house where I'm staying. [_Frightened at a peculiar look of_ THE
PRINCESS'S.] Oh, but you mustn't be--No, I shouldn't have said it. It
wasn't decent of me. Only, let me tell you, I'm so glad to be able to
help the poor fellow out of my unexpected earnings, that I'd like to be
shouting it from the housetops all the time! Of course, you understand
that, don't you?
THE PRINCESS. You like to help people, then?
STRÜBEL. Surely--don't you?
THE PRINCESS. [_Reflecting._] No. There's always so much talk about it,
and the whole thing immediately appears in the newspapers.
STRÜBEL. What? If you help some one, that appears----?
THE PRINCESS. [_Quietly correcting herself._] I only mean if one takes
part in entertainments for charity----
STRÜBEL. Oh, yes, naturally. In those things they always get some woman
of rank to act as patroness, if they can, and she sees to it, you may be
sure, that the newspapers make a fuss over it.
THE PRINCESS. [_Demurely._] Oh, not every----
STRÜBEL. Just try to teach me something I don't know about these titled
women! Besides, my dear young lady, where is your home--in one of the
large cities, or----?
THE PRINCESS. Oh, no. In quite a small town--really more like the
country.
STRÜBEL. Then I'm going to show you something that you probably never
saw before in all your life.
THE PRINCESS. Oh do! What is it?
STRÜBEL. A princess! H'm--not a make-believe, but a real, true-blue
princess!
THE PRINCESS. Oh, really?
STRÜBEL. Yes. Our Princess of the Springs.
THE PRINCESS. And who may that be?
STRÜBEL. Why, Princess Marie Louise.
THE PRINCESS. Of Geldern?
STRÜBEL. Of course.
THE PRINCESS. Do you know her?
STRÜBEL. Why, certainly.
THE PRINCESS. Really? I thought that she lived in great retirement.
STRÜBEL. Well, that doesn't do her any good. Not a bit of it. And
because you are such a jolly good fellow I'm going to tell you my
secret. I'm in love with this princess!
THE PRINCESS. Oh!
STRÜBEL. You can't imagine what a comfort it is. The fact is, every
young poet has got to have a princess to love.
THE PRINCESS. Are you a poet?
STRÜBEL. Can't you tell that by looking at me?
THE PRINCESS. I never saw a poet before.
STRÜBEL. Never saw a poet--never saw a princess! Why, you're learning a
heap of things to-day!
THE PRINCESS. [_Assenting._] H'm--and have you written poems to her?
STRÜBEL. Why, that goes without saying! Quantities of 'em!
THE PRINCESS. Oh, please recite some little thing--won't you?
STRÜBEL. No, not yet. Everything at the proper time.
THE PRINCESS. Ah, yes, first I should like to see the princess.
STRÜBEL. No, first I am going to tell you the whole story.
THE PRINCESS. Oh, yes, yes. Please do. [_Sits down._
STRÜBEL. Well, then--I had hardly heard that she was here before I was
dead in love with her. It was just as quick as a shot, I tell you. Just
as if I had waited all my life long to fall in love with her. Besides, I
also heard about her beauty--and her sorrow. You see, she had an early
love affair.
THE PRINCESS. [_Disconcerted._] What? Are they saying that?
STRÜBEL. Yes. It was a young officer who went to Africa because of
her--and died there.
THE PRINCESS. And they know that, too?
STRÜBEL. What don't they know? But that's a mere detail--it doesn't
concern me. Even the fact that in six months she will become the bride
of a grand-duke--even that can make no difference to me. For the present
she is _my_ princess. But you're not listening to me!
THE PRINCESS. Oh, yes, I am!
STRÜBEL. Do you know what that means--_my_ princess! I'll not give up
_my_ princess--not for anything in all the world!
THE PRINCESS. But--if you don't even know her----?
STRÜBEL. I don't know her? Why, I know her as well as I know myself!
THE PRINCESS. Have you ever met her, then?
STRÜBEL. I don't know of any one who has ever met her. And there's not a
soul that can tell what she looks like. It is said that there were
pictures of her in the shop-windows when she first came, but they were
removed immediately. In the morning a great many people are always
lurking around the Springs trying to catch a glimpse of her. I, myself,
have gotten up at six o'clock a couple of times--on the same errand--and
if you knew me better, you'd realize what that meant. But not a sign of
her! Either she has the stuff brought to her house or she has the power
of making herself invisible. [THE PRINCESS _turns aside to conceal a
smile_.] After that, I used to hang around her garden--every day, for
hours at a time. Until one day the policeman, whom the managers of the
Springs have stationed at the gates, came up to me and asked me what on
earth I was doing there. Well, that was the end of those methods of
approach! Suddenly, however, a happy thought struck me. Now I can see
her and have her near to me as often as I wish.
THE PRINCESS. Why, that's very interesting. How?
STRÜBEL. Yes, that's just the point. H'm, should I risk it? Should I
take you into my confidence?
THE PRINCESS. You promised me some time ago that you would show her to
me.
STRÜBEL. Wait a second. [_Looks through the telescope._] There she is.
Please look for yourself.
THE PRINCESS. But I am--[_She, too, looks through the telescope._]
Actually, there is the garden as plain as if one were in it.
STRÜBEL. And at the corner window on the left--with the
embroidery-frame--that's she.
THE PRINCESS. Are you absolutely certain that that is the princess?
STRÜBEL. Why, who else could it be?
THE PRINCESS. Oh, 'round about a princess like that--there are such a
lot of people. For instance, there is her waiting-woman, there's the
seamstress and her assistants, there's----
STRÜBEL. But, my dear young lady, if you only understood anything about
these matters, you would have been certain at the very first glance that
it was she--and no one else. Observe the nobility in every motion--the
queenly grace with which she bends over the embroidery-frame----
THE PRINCESS. How do you know that it's an embroidery-frame?
STRÜBEL. Why, what should a princess be bending over if not an
embroidery-frame? Do you expect her to be darning stockings?
THE PRINCESS. It wouldn't hurt her at all!