Ebeling(springing up).
It was you, you who all these years----?
Margot.
Good evening, Herr Ebeling. (She goes out.)
Ebeling.
(Pauses for a moment irresolutely, struggling with himself, then hurries after her. His voice is heard.) Stay here! Stay here! Come in here! (He reappears at the centre door, pulling her by the arm.) Come in here! Come back!
Margot.
What do you want of me? I'll cry for help----
Ebeling.
Come here! (Drags her to the writing-table.)
Margot.
Leave me alone!
Ebeling.
Be quiet! Be quiet! (Picks up one of the pictures standing on the table.) There! That woman dragged my name in the gutter. Will you do the same? Answer me! (Margotstands motionless, the tears running down her cheeks.) Answer, I say.
Margot(slowly and heavily).
Ah, one thinks and says so much when there's no longer a particle of hope in one's life.
Ebeling.
I understand. (He throws the picture on the ground; frame and glass are dashed to pieces.) Let us go to your parents. We'll arrange with them what's best to be done. (As she doesn't move.) Well? (Margotshakes her head.) You don't want to?
Margot.
Not that way! As I am now, humiliated--mortified--disgraced--no, not that way! I am so tired of playing Magdalen! No! When I come, I'll come with a free step. I'll be able to look every man in the face! But I must find out first what I am still worth, and (looking him full in the face) it must be a great, great deal--to be worthy of you.
Ebeling(moved).
Give me your hands, dear.
Margot(doing so).
When we see each other again, they'll be red and ugly. (Ebelingkisses her hands and presses them to his face.) Good-bye. (She turns to go.)
Curtain.
The Unknown Lady.Lieutenant Von Wolters.Mulbridge, a horse-trainer.His Wife.Daisy, their daughter.Kellermann.Tempski, an orderly.A Groom.
The Unknown Lady.
Lieutenant Von Wolters.
Mulbridge, a horse-trainer.
His Wife.
Daisy, their daughter.
Kellermann.
Tempski, an orderly.
A Groom.
The Present Day.
The scene is laid in a large German garrison.
Frau Mulbridge.
Well, now we have seen our poor, dear captain for the last time.
Mulbridge.
Yes. He was a good fellow, our captain and--awfully fond of horses.
Frau Mulbridge.
Why, Daisy, what's the matter, dear? You've been standing here all alone, and yet, until now, you wouldn't stir from the coffin.
Daisy.
I saw him quite well from here, mother, dear.
Mulbridge(caressing her).
My girlie--my little girl. Yes--we all loved him.
Frau Mulbridge.
(ToTempski,who is sobbing.) There, there, Tempski, hush now. (A bell rings, right.) There's the bell; go and open the door. (Tempskigoes out at the right.)
Mulbridge(to theGroom).
And we'll be off to the stables!
Frau Mulbridge.
Sh! The Lieutenant!
Mulbridge(to the Groom).
Go on! (Pushes theGroomout, left.)
(Lieutenant von Woltersenters. He is an attractive young officer, very smart in appearance, wearing the uniform of an Uhlan.Kellermann,a self-possessed, sharp-eyed man, follows him. While they are entering,Tempskicomes in at the right, quietly places a wreath on one of the piles near the columns, and goes out again.)
v. Wolters.
Well, Herr-- (He puts his hand to his eyes, overcome for the moment, then stiffly, trying to conceal his emotion.) Herr--Kellermann was the name, wasn't it?
Kellermann.
At your service, Lieutenant.
v. Wolters.
You have done everything very satisfactorily. I am much obliged to you. You understand that the removal of the coffin to the church is to be accomplished as secretly as possible.
Kellermann.
I'm silent as the grave, Lieutenant. My business sort of carries that with it, don't you know.
v. Wolters.
It will be dark about half past five. I have ordered the troops that are to accompany the casket to be here at half past six. At the church--the catafalque and the rest--I can confidently leave all that to you?
Kellermann.
Most assuredly, Lieutenant. I shall see that everything is of the finest.
v. Wolters.
But remember your instructions: all superfluous ostentation is to be rigorously avoided--to-morrow at the funeral procession, also.
Kellermann.
I understand, Lieutenant--because of the way he met his death.
v. Wolters.
The reason does not concern you. (Turns to go.)
Mulbridge. Beg pardon, Lieutenant, but may I speak to you? I've been in the captain's service seven years. I've been in Germany nearly eighteen years--have a German wife and daughter. I'm not as young as I used to be. What's going to become of the horses and the racing-stable, and-- the rest?
Frau Mulbridge.
Yes, it's really too bad about him, Lieutenant. He's so fond of his horses. Why, if ever you want to speak to him, you have to go and stay at the stable. That's the only way I can manage to see him.
Mulbridge.
And she's a great help to me, too, Lieutenant.
v. Wolters.
I can understand your anxiety, Mulbridge. The captain spoke about you on our last journey together. He especially commended you and your family to my care. But, of course, everything will depend upon the heir.
Frau Mulbridge.
And who is the heir, Lieutenant?
v. Wolters.
No one knows. He had no relatives. But be assured that whoever it is, I will do my best to----
Mulbridge.
Thank you, Lieutenant! Thank you! (He says a few words aside to his wife and goes out, left.)
v. Wolters.
Have you anything else to do here, Herr Kellermann?
Kellermann.
Yes, indeed, a great many things, Lieutenant. (Goes out at the centre, carrying several wreaths, and then returns for more. Frau Mulbridgehelps him.)
v. Wolters.
Oh, by the way, may I have a word with you, Daisy? (Daisycomes forward,v. Wolterscontinues aside to her.) My dear child, I know that the captain had a great deal of confidence in you.
Daisy.
Yes, he had.
v. Wolters.
Well then, listen. Some one wishes to come here before the casket is removed some one who must not be seen.
Daisy.
Very well. She may.
v. Wolters(amazed).
What----? She----?
Daisy.
Why, it must be the lady.
v. Wolters.
What lady?
Daisy.
The lady for whom he let himself be shot.
v. Wolters.
What! You know----?
Daisy.
She had to come, of course. Who else should it be?
v. Wolters.
H'm! Well then, listen carefully. If the undertaker--or any other stranger--should still be here when it begins to grow dark, throw on a wrap and wait at the door downstairs until a carriage stops. Will you?
Daisy.
Certainly I will. And Tempski?
v. Wolters.
Yes, Tempski, faithful as he is----
Daisy.
Tempski was never around in those days.
v. Wolters(looking at her in astonishment).
Oh--so Tempski--was never--around--in those days! H'm! Well then, I'll undertake to get rid of Tempski myself. Thank you, my child. (Gives her his hand, then aloud.) I have another errand, but I'll be back soon. (Goes out at the right.)
Frau Mulbridge.
What did the lieutenant want of you?
Daisy.
Nothing in particular--something about the wreaths.
Kellermann(coming in from the back).
Yes, with all those wreaths, we'll have to have an extra carriage for the flowers. He was a fine man, he was--a highly respected man! And on horseback! Why, I've won every time I bet on him! Ah, yes, but sooner or later they all have to come to me!
Frau Mulbridge.
And he was such a kind master! He was just like a child sometimes--so light-hearted and happy--like a little boy! Lately, to be sure, he-- (The bell rings.) Well, Daisy!
Daisy.
(Who has stood without moving, lost in thought.) I guess Tempski will go.
Frau Mulbridge.
Yes, yes, you're right. Tempski is outside.
Tempski(brings in a wreath, sobbing).
F-from--our--major.
Frau Mulbridge.
Why, Tempski, it's perfectly natural that the major----
Tempski.
From--our--major.
Frau Mulbridge.
Take the wreath from him, Daisy.
Daisy.
Yes, mother, dear. (She does so.Tempskigoes out, crying.)
Kellermann(reaching for the wreath).
From his major that must go on the coffin!
Daisy.
I'll do it.
Kellermann(in doubt).
Don't you think----?
Frau Mulbridge.
Yes, let her; she looks after everything.
Kellermann.
But nail it tightly, little lady--else it'll fall off when they're carrying him to the church.
Daisy.
Yes, yes. (Goes out back with the wreath. During the following conversation, the strokes of a hammer are heard.)
Frau Mulbridge.
Everything is so well arranged here. I don't see why they've got to take him to the church.
Kellermann.
The official statement is that it will prevent any demonstration in the street. You know, the town folks haven't taken very kindly to this murdering business of late. But, of course, that's not the real reason. The truth of the matter is that several very influential ladies would like to attend the funeral without being seen. H'm!--love never dies, they say. Ah, the captain was no saint, I can tell you!
Frau Mulbridge.
What do you know about it?
Kellermann.
Oh, well, there's a lot of talk about the veiled figures that used to go in and out of here at twilight. And if these mirrors could speak--! That reminds me--I'd almost forgotten--we must cover the mirrors. (Daisyappears in front of the curtain. She is staring into space.)
Frau Mulbridge.
But since the casket is to be taken away in less than an hour--what's the use?
Kellermann.
That doesn't make any difference. The mirrors have got to be draped. It would be a blemish on my art--and I wouldn't answer for it.
Frau Mulbridge.
Daisy!
Daisy.
Yes, mother, dear.
Frau Mulbridge.
Go get a pair of lace curtains to hang over the mirrors.
Daisy.
Yes, mother, dear. (She does not stir.)
Frau Mulbridge.
Daisy! You're not listening.
Daisy.
Yes I am, mother, dear. You asked me to-- (Falters.)
Frau Mulbridge.
I asked you to fetch a pair of lace curtains.
Daisy.
Yes, mother, dear. (Goes out, left.)
Frau Mulbridge.
Now that the child isn't here--tell me, Herr Kellermann, do you know anything about the cause of the duel? We're all groping in the dark here at the house.
Kellermann.
Well, they're saying all sorts of things. But the dead are my friends. I never say anything against them. It's a business principle with me.
Frau Mulbridge.
Yes--but the man who shot him, is he still walking around free as air?
Kellermann.
Yes, that's the way with these fine folks. They fall upon one another like highwaymen. Your honour or your life! The man who survives can laugh. The man who falls--well, he falls into my arms. But, see here, getting into a duel with that fellow, that Baron Renoir--why it was nothing short of suicide! I tell you, where that man goes, no grass grows! On the turf, at the card-table, with the women--always the same story. That man shot him down like a rabbit. Oh, of course, it's always a fine thing to lay down your life for a woman. That's a phrase that----
Frau Mulbridge.
Do you really think that a woman----?
Kellermann.
Sh! Here comes your little girl. (Daisyenters with two vases, which she is carrying very carefully.)
Frau Mulbridge.
What's that you're bringing?
Daisy.
I stopped and filled them first.
Frau Mulbridge.
But you were to get a pair of lace curtains!
Daisy.
Oh, forgive me, mother, dear. I thought you said vases. I'll go (Exit with the vases.)
Frau Mulbridge.
I don't know what's come over the child! Why, she's been such a help these days--thought of everything, wanted to do everything herself.
Kellermann.
A nice little girl--how old is she?
Frau Mulbridge.
Seventeen, her last birthday.
Kellermann.
Is she at school?
Frau Mulbridge.
She's been going to the Art Institute. She wants to teach drawing.
Kellermann.
I suppose the captain thought a lot of her?
Frau Mulbridge.
Oh, dear me, yes. She was always around him from the time that she was a mere child. They used to play together out in the yard like two little kittens! Of course, when she grew older, that sort of thing stopped. But lately, when he seemed so worried, I----
Kellermann.
So he seemed worried, did he?
Frau Mulbridge.
Yes, indeed. I've had my suspicions for the last two months. Well, when he seemed so worried, I used to manage to send her in to him pretty often. She read aloud to him--and so on. (Daisyenters with a couple of curtains, and a dark coat on her arm.)
Kellermann.
Thanks, thanks, little lady. (Takes the curtains from her and stands on a chair under one of the mirrors.) What lovely Venetian lace! Ah, yes, every mirror comes to this sooner or later!
Daisy.
I'd like to get a breath of fresh air, would you mind, mother, dear? I feel so----
Frau Mulbridge.
Yes, yes, dear. Go out for a little while. (Daisyputs on her coat.)
Kellermann(in front of the other mirror).
Why, here's a little bunch of flowers!
v. Daisy(eagerly).
Oh, please, please, let me have it.
Kellermann(blowing off the dust).
If it doesn't fall to pieces. (Hands it to her.) Ah, yes, many, many loved him! He had a beautiful life, he had a beautiful death, and, as for a beautiful funeral--just leave that to Kellermann! (Takes his hat.) I'll be back again for the procession. Good evening, ladies.
Frau Mulbridge.
Good evening. (ToDaisy,seeing her take off her coat.) I thought you said you were going out?
Daisy.
Oh, well, I've changed my mind now.
Frau Mulbridge.
I'm glad, because one feels so--so alone in here.
v. Daisy(with a glance backward).
But we are not alone yet.
Frau Mulbridge(shuddering slightly).
That's just it.
v. Daisy(staring straight before her).
I'm not afraid.
Frau Mulbridge.
Tell me something, Daisy, dear. Weren't you in there last night?
v. Daisy(alarmed).
Last night? I?
Frau Mulbridge.
Yes, at the coffin.
Daisy.
What should I be doing at the coffin?
Frau Mulbridge.
Well, I thought I heard some one go past the door.
Daisy.
You must have been dreaming, mother, dear.
Frau Mulbridge.
Very likely. I haven't been sleeping well these nights. See here, Daisy, perhaps he's left us something--you, at least--tell me, haven't you been thinking about that sometimes?
v. Daisy(apart, with a glance at the clock).
If she doesn't come soon----!
Frau Mulbridge.
What's that you were saying? (The bell rings.Daisystarts.) Why, what's the matter with you? (v. Woltersenters.)
v. Wolters(calling).
Tempski!
Tempski(at the threshold, in military attitude).
Here, Lieutenant!
v. Wolters.
Hurry over to the garrison church and see if everything is ready.
Frau Mulbridge.
Why, Kellermann will see----
v. Wolters.
And then go--or no--stay there until the casket arrives. Do you understand?
Tempski.
At your command, Lieutenant. (He goes out.)
v. Wolters.
That's attended to. And now, my dear Frau Mulbridge, there's something that I want to confide to you. A visitor is coming here presently--a lady. (Frau Mulbridgeglances anxiously atDaisy,who nods.) She is not to be seen by any one--except Daisy. Daisy, it appears, used to open the door for her sometimes in former days.
Frau Mulbridge.
Daisy--? What does this mean?
Daisy.
Oh, Tempski might have gossiped, you know.
Frau Mulbridge.
And so he letyouopen the door?
Daisy.
I never gossip, mother.
Frau Mulbridge.
I'm finding things out now! Why did I never hear of this before?
Daisy.
Oh, you were always in the stables with father in the evening.
Frau Mulbridge.
And there I was trying to keep this child from any knowledge of the things that went on in here--and he----
v. Wolters.
We've no time for that now, Frau Mulbridge. Daisy, you will watch outside, won't you?
Frau Mulbridge(protesting).
Oh, that's too----
v. Daisy(firmly).
Yes, I'll watch. (The bell rings softly.) Should I----? (v. Woltersnods.)
Frau Mulbridge(calling her back).
Daisy! (Daisygoes out without noticing her mother.)
v. Wolters.
May I ask, Frau Mulbridge, that you----
Frau Mulbridge.
Very well. We have served him faithfully, and I'll not start making any trouble now at the end. (Exit, left.v. Woltersgoes to the door at the right, listens, and then opens it cautiously.The Unknown Ladyenters. She is heavily veiled, dressed entirely in black, and carries a spray of white roses. As she enters, she staggers slightly and leans against the writing-table for support.)