v. Wolters(who has softly locked the door).
May I show you the way, Countess? (The Ladyshakes her head and motions questioningly toward the back.v. Woltersnods, and she goes out through the curtained doorway. After a short pause,v. Woltersopens the door at the right.)
v. Wolters(calling).
Daisy! (Daisyappears at the threshold.) Kindly see that no one enters the house while this lady is here--no one, do you understand?
Daisy.
Oh, yes, I understand very well.
v. Wolters.
It may be that she has something else to say to me. If the men should come for the casket before she has left, take them around the other way. Keep the main entrance clear.
Daisy.
No, that wouldn't be safe.
v. Wolters.
Well, what shall we do?
v. Daisy(breathing heavily).
I'll--think of something.
v. Wolters.
His death grieves you, too, dear child?
Daisy.
Me? Oh, yes--me too. (She goes out.v. Wolterswalks to and fro, pauses to listen in front of the curtain, turns on the electric lamp, again walks to and fro, etc. At a slight movement of the curtain, he stops, expectant.The Lady,still veiled, comes forward slowly until she has reached one of the chairs on the left. A pause.)
The Lady.
Ah, Herr von Wolters--to let them close the coffin before I--I had seen him--I must confess, I had not expected that of you, Herr von Wolters.
v. Wolters.
I didn't dare prevent it, Countess--just because of your coming. It was the only way to have the house to ourselves.
The Lady.
Don't call me countess, Herr von Wolters. I am not a countess here. (Glancing toward the door.) I am only an unhappy woman whom no one in this house knows, whom no one is to know.
v. Wolters.
Wouldn't you care to rest for a moment?
The Lady.
Are we quite safe here?
v. Wolters.
Quite. The little girl who, you say, is not unknown to you, is outside at the entrance. I have told her mother of your visit and she will not enter the house. If you wish, however, we can lock the door.
The Lady.
Yes, do. Or, no, perhaps it would be better not to--in case any one----
v. Wolters.
Very well.
The Lady.
(Throws back her veil, revealing a very beautiful face, which is deathly pale and wears an expression of the deepest affliction. She sinks into the chair. A pause.) I wanted to lay my roses on his breast. Ah, Herr von Wolters, I loved that man with an infinite love. Perhaps grief will give my life a new and holier meaning--who knows? We seek beauty--and find grief. Tell me, Herr von Wolters, you were his best friend, did you never suspect----?
v. Wolters.
Never, never.
The Lady.
And when you received my letter early this morning asking you to come at once--not even then?
v. Wolters.
I could draw--various conclusions--from that.
The Lady.
For instance----?
v. Wolters.
Oh, please--really, you must excuse me----
The Lady.
No, Herr von Wolters. We are here--but why don't you sit down? (He does so.) We are here together, you and I, to hold the last rites over our sainted dead. His friend and his beloved who else has any right to be here? Herr von Wolters, I have given you my full confidence--I have made a strange confession to you. You will not betray me?
v. Wolters.
Ah!
The Lady.
And so, in this sacred hour, there must be no concealment between us. Answer me now. What does the world say?
v. Wolters(embarrassed).
The world says so many things, Countess.
The Lady.
Tell me, to what extent has my name been associated with this affair?
v. Wolters.
I can't conceal the fact from you, Countess. Your name is mentioned.
The Lady(thoughtfully).
Yes, that's what my husband says.
v. Wolters.
But please let me add that not a shadow, not the slightest suspicion, has ever----
The Lady.
But what else can they think?
v. Wolters.
My dear Countess, when a woman is as beauti-- I mean, that when a woman is the centre of so much interest, it's not surprising that some notice was taken of the attentions which he--
The Lady(somewhat impatiently).
Yes--but----?
v. Wolters.
It naturally was observed that my friend----
The Lady.
Our friend had a--what shall I say--a susceptible heart. We knew that, who knew him so well. This was not the first time he had--been interested in a woman. And that was why I arranged to have him seen in our house as little as possible--lately, not at all.
v. Wolters.
That fact did not escape notice, Countess. And as Baron Renoir was frequently seen with you--instead of----
The Lady(somewhat excited).
Don't mention that name, Herr von Wolters! I can't stand it! What could have possessed that man Renoir--? But do tell me the rest. I've heard only the merest details. They've only told me what they thought necessary.
v. Wolters.
No one knows what actually occurred between the two men. He begged me to ask no questions. You know, he was so reserved of late. It may be that certain expressions which passed between them a few days ago--after they had been drinking--had something to do with it--no one knows. Perhaps there was some insult which was given in private--and which neither of them would make public. The assurance that the injury, whatever it may have been, was irreparable, must satisfy us.
The Lady.
Oh, how I hate that man Renoir!--quite apart from the trouble which he has gotten me into! My husband warned me against him long ago. "That scoundrel will compromise you some day," he said, "and then I'll have to fight a duel with him." Instead--this! Oh, you poor, poor darling! And now, when all was so quiet and peaceful between us!
v. Wolters.
My dear Countess, if you think that the change which came over him in the last few months betokened peace and quiet----
The Lady(nervously).
I don't know anything about that! It wasn't my fault! Was I to blame if he insisted on having notions? Tell me one thing, Herr von Wolters, did he die easily?
v. Wolters.
No one dies easily, Countess.
The Lady.
Was he still living when they reached the house?
v. Wolters.
No, he died on the field.
The Lady.
Do you know my first name, Herr von Wolters?
v. Wolters.
Certainly.
The Lady(hesitating).
Did he--by any chance--speak--that name?
v. Wolters.
That would have betrayed his secret, Countess.
The Lady.
I only meant--at the very last--when he was no longer--conscious.
v. Wolters.
No, Countess. But--pardon me, I don't want to be indelicate--but did he ever call you by some little--little term of endearment--some-- (Stops, embarrassed.)
The Lady.
Why do you ask?
v. Wolters.
At the very end, he kept murmuring something that sounded like "Girlie"--or----
The Lady(indignantly).
My dear Herr von Wolters, our intimacy was of a different sort.
v. Wolters.
Pardon me, Countess, but you yourself asked. (She nods. A short pause.)
The Lady.
Good heavens--these curtains over the mirrors! They make me feel as if I were looking a blind man in the eyes!
v. Wolters.
Would you like to have me remove them?
The Lady.
No, no. Never mind. I want to ask you something, Herr von Wolters. Tell me, what do you think of me?
v. Wolters(confused).
What do you mean, Countess?
The Lady.
I want to know what I have done that I should be doomed to bring so much sorrow into the lives of others. I had only just left school when a strange young man shot himself under my window. It was on my account that my husband was transferred here from his former garrison. Tell me, what mark of Cain do I bear that all men follow me? I dress as simply as I can. I never go out without a double veil. Sometimes I have actually been tempted to throw vitriol in my face!
v. Wolters(candidly).
Oh, that would have been a shame, Countess!
The Lady(severely).
Herr von Wolters!
v. Wolters.
Yes, Countess, to mar that image of divinity would be a sin--and I do not hesitate to repeat it beside the coffin of my friend.
The Lady.
Don't! (Reaches him her hand, which he kisses respectfully.) Dear me, how strange it seems! Yesterday we scarcely knew one another--those few visits at my house don't count. To-day--this short conversation--and here we are, sitting side by side, the guardians of a secret which will be buried forever with him. It will, Herr von Wolters?
v. Wolters.
Ah, my dear Countess, please do not offend me.
The Lady.
Very well, I shall not worry. Did you love him very dearly?
v. Wolters.
I thought a great deal of him, Countess. He took care of me when I was a young fellow quite alone in the world. He was so-- Really, I don't know how I shall-- (breaking down.)
The Lady.
Courage, dear friend! We must both try to be brave.
v. Wolters(firmly).
Thank you, Countess. You will not have to reprove me again.
The Lady.
You evaded my question before. Do you consider me very guilty, Herr von Wolters?
v. Wolters.
He loved you, Countess. That makes you holy in my eyes.
The Lady.
I thank you for that word--little as I deserve it. It has never been my way to undervalue myself. But your opinion meant so much to me----
v. Wolters(puzzled).
What difference could my humble opinion----
The Lady.
Don't say that, my dear friend. There are few people--perhaps not even my own husband--who have ever seen me as you see me at this moment--so weak, so helpless, so--I had almost said--unguarded. Remember that--and spare me.
v. Wolters.
I hope that I have not been inconsiderate, Countess.
The Lady.
(Putting her hand to her brow, stammering.) No, no, no; it's--it's grieving for him that makes me lose my wits. The world had so long set me on a pedestal that I thought I belonged there. Now I feel as if I were torn down. Now I lie there-- Herr von Wolters, pay no attention to me!
v. Wolters.
If I could only help you, Countess!
The Lady(smiling sorrowfully).
Help me--you? And yet, why not? His friend and his beloved! It is we, you and I, who are paying the last honours to the dead. Who could know his worth better than we? Whose grief could be more eloquent than ours? No, no, no--I must not talk. Ah, I see him before me now with his bright, careless smile--his conqueror's smile! I suppose you never were courted by women as he was?
v. Wolters.
My dear Countess, I lead a fairly quiet, uneventful life.
The Lady.
But you're not--you're not a Puritan, are you?
v. Wolters.
I must let others judge of that, Countess.
The Lady.
Oh! I should like to cry out my sorrow to the whole world--say to them all, "You sordid souls, you couldn't know how much I loved him! What do I care if you damn me, if you----" (The bell rings. She starts.) There's the bell!
v. Wolters(reassuringly).
Probably just a wreath.
The Lady.
And if it's not--a----?
v. Wolters.
Why, Daisy is outside. But to make sure-- (Listens at the door, then opens it cautiously.) Daisy! (The Ladydrops her veil.Daisyappears at the threshold.)
Daisy.
What is it, Herr von Wolters?
v. Wolters.
Who rang?
Daisy.
It was a wreath.
v. Wolters(toThe Lady).
Just as I supposed.
The Lady(toDaisy).
Come here, dear. (Daisycomes forward.) You used to open the door for me, didn't you?
Daisy.
Yes.
The Lady.
But you don't know who I am?
Daisy.
No.
The Lady.
You'll not try to find out?
Daisy.
Oh, no.
The Lady.
Was he fond of you?
Daisy.
Oh, yes.
The Lady.
And have you been crying since he died?
Daisy.
No.
The Lady.
You're a pretty little girl.
v. Daisy(going).
Has my lady any more questions?
The Lady.
(Taking out a gold purse, tov. Wolters.) Do you think one might give her anything? (v. Woltersshakes his head.) Thank you, dear. We shall see each other again. (AsDaisylingers.) What is it?
Daisy.
Very well--since I shall see my lady again. (Goes out.)
The Lady.
It did seem though, as if she were waiting for something.
v. Wolters.
If you will pardon me for the suggestion, it was surely not--not for money.
The Lady.
By the way, this incident reminds me of something I was just about to-- Herr von Wolters, are you my friend?
v. Wolters.
If you consider me worthy of that distinction, Countess.
The Lady.
Most assuredly. Well, Herr von Wolters, there is something that troubles me--something that desecrates my grief, if I may use the word. There's the anxiety--the fear that-- Yes, yes--I must tell you all. Herr von Wolters, he has my letters. Do you understand? (He nods.) Didn't he give you something for me--a small, sealed package, perhaps--nothing?
v. Wolters.
You are forgetting, Countess, that I was ignorant of all this until a short time ago.
The Lady.
Yes, that's true. H'm--it's really too bad. Who has the keys?
v. Wolters.
Why, he gave them to me just before the duel. I have them with me.
The Lady.
You've looked through the writing-table?
v. Wolters.
Yes, I had to hand over his papers to the legal authorities. I didn't consider myself entitled to touch his private correspondence at present.
The Lady.
Why not?
v. Wolters.
He made a will the day before the duel.
The Lady.
Really? In whose favor?
v. Wolters.
I don't know.
The Lady.
What! Didn't he make any allusion--nothing----?
v. Wolters.
The only thing he said was that he had named me as executor.
The Lady.
But he had no relatives. Who is to inherit his large fortune?
v. Wolters.
As I've said, I don't know. However, he made a remark that I didn't quite understand, and that I--pardon me--would rather not repeat, if you don't mind.
The Lady.
Oh, please!
v. Wolters.
It might give you pain, Countess.
The Lady(sadly).
Nothing can give me pain afterthis.
v. Wolters.
Well, he said with a decided emphasis--though perhaps he did not intend that I should notice it--he said, "The one who loved me best shall be my heir."
The Lady.
What! He said that? Who could have loved him best if not I? (Terrified.) For God's sake, Herr von Wolters!
v. Wolters.
Don't be alarmed, Countess. That would be too grotesque.
The Lady.
Perhaps this is his revenge.
v. Wolters.
Revenge? On you? What for?
The Lady.
No, no--I'm quite out of my senses, I-- But, as you have the keys, you won't mind doing me this slight favour.
v. Wolters.
What favour, Countess?
The Lady.
Search for the letters with me--now. It seems to me your duty, not only as a friend but as a gentleman.
v. Wolters.
Pardon me, my dear Countess, you were certainly his last--perhaps his only great love. But his life was varied--and if we were to open his desk now--I really don't know what we might find there.
The Lady.
You mean there would be letters from other----?
v. Wolters.
I must say no more.
The Lady.
Well, I'll shut my eyes. I'll only look for my own handwriting.
v. Wolters.
The will is to be opened in a few days, Countess. He has doubtless inserted a clause authorising me as executor to return certain papers to their owners--or destroy them.
The Lady.
Ah, I see you're a Puritan, after all.--No, no, I'll not trouble your conscience. This loyalty which you bear him to the very grave is so beautiful, so poetical, and I feel so near to you because of it--(Putting her hand over her eyes.) Oh, those curtains in front of the mirrors! They make me feel as if I were dead myself, (v. Woltersis about to tear them down.) No, no--don't. Thanks. Tell me, how long will it be before the will is opened?
v. Wolters.
Unfortunately, the day is not yet appointed.
The Lady.
I shall not sleep a moment until then. Not even my love, my grief, can outweigh this terrible fear. My honour, my future, my life--everything is at stake!
v. Wolters(amazed).
Countess!
The Lady.
Please stop calling me Countess.
v. Wolters.
Forgive me. What should I----?
The Lady.
Call me your friend. I want to be that. From this day you become closer to me than any other being in all the world. Are you not the legacy, as it were, that our dear dead has left me?--Ah, you and I must become like brother and sister, two beings who have--nothing--to conceal from one another. Herr von Wolters, will you be my guide, my confidant--my friend?
v. Wolters.
Countess! My dear, dear Countess!
The Lady(softly).
But you're not to----
v. Wolters.
Forgive me. Your kindness to me makes me feel so--confused--I----
The Lady.
Why should it? I feel certain that if he could see us at this moment, he himself would join our hands together.
v. Wolters.
Countess, if you ever need a man who would let himself be torn to pieces for you----
The Lady.
No, not that. I only want you to take this great weight from my soul.
v. Wolters.
Ah, Countess, I am a man of my word.
The Lady.
And that's what you call being torn to pieces for me?
v. Wolters(trembling).
Whether I can answer for this to him and to my own conscience--whether I can ever again think of him--without shame--will depend upon what we shall find in there.
The Lady.
But you will open it? (A pause.) Herr von Wolters, you'll not let me die of fear and distraction?