COUNT—“The farmer does not ask for sympathy. He wishes no allegiance that
is not conscientiously felt. Yet he hopes, yet he believes he still can
win the minister to——”
PAULA—[_Sorrowfully._] He mustn’t believe that, your excellency.
COUNT—Go on writing, Paula, that belongs in the speech.... And you may
add that I too think that it is a forlorn hope, a mistaken belief,
which the farmer must teach himself to renounce. [_PAULA bends over the
machine, puts her hand over her eyes._] What is it, my child? Don’t you
feel well?
PAULA—[_Rises._] I beg pardon, your excellency.... I have had the
strangest feeling ... since ... since he went away from here.... I
don’t know how to describe it.... I don’t know what it is. [_Her voice
is restrained, embarrassed._] But I really believe ... [_bursts out
angrily_] I’ve fallen in love with this Juhasz. [_She hurries out at
right. The COUNT stares after her a moment thoughtfully, lights a
cigarette, and as he flicks the ashes from it,_