v. Wolters.
I'll open it.
The Lady(laying her hand on his arm).
Thanks, thanks! Ah, you are good----
v. Wolters(taking out the key).
Don't thank me. I feel as if he could hear it in there.
The Lady(shuddering involuntarily).
No--no! (v. Woltersturns the key in the keyhole unavailingly.) Won't it work?--Heavens, why your hand is trembling. Let me have it.
v. Wolters(with a last attempt at resistance).
The keys were entrusted tome, Countess.
The Lady(coaxingly).
Oh, do let me have it. (Sits at the writing-table and opens the drawer. With a low cry of surprise.) Empty!
v. Wolters(bending over her).
Empty?
The Lady.
Are you sure that this was----?
v. Wolters.
Yes, that was the drawer in which he kept his private papers. I'm sure of it.
The Lady(staring straight ahead).
Well, how can you explain----?
v. Wolters.
Perhaps he burned everything.
The Lady(springing to her feet).
And perhaps not!--Who knows?--This is the way he played with the honour of the woman who gave him all! This is my thanks! This is the action of a gentleman!
v. Wolters.
No gentleman, Countess, can do more than let himself be shot for a woman.
The Lady.
Who asked him to do it? Was it my fault if jealousy of Renoir drove him mad? And perhaps this is really his revenge! Perhaps we'll live to see even more interesting disclosures!--This is my reward! This-- (Daisyappears at the door in the centre.) What do you want?
Daisy.
I beg your pardon. My lady is looking for--letters?
The Lady.
So you've been in there eavesdropping, have you?
Daisy.
I brought in a wreath.
The Lady.
Well, what do you know about my letters?
Daisy.
Here they are. (Takes a small package of letters from her dress and hands it toThe Lady.) I intended to give them to yousecretlywhen you left.
The Lady.
(Snatches the letters from her hand and looks at them.) How do you happen to have these letters?
v. Daisy(wonderingly).
Why, how should I happen to have them? He gave them to me.
The Lady.
To you? Who are you? Why to you?
Daisy.
Because he knew that I would do exactly what he told me to do.
The Lady(tov. Wolters).
Can you understand this?
v. Wolters(gently).
What did he tell you to do, Daisy?
Daisy.
He said to me, "These letters belong to the lady who used to come to see me sometimes. No one is to know about her--not even Herr von Wolters.--When I am dead, the lady will----
v. Wolters.
Did he say that?
Daisy.
Yes. "When I am dead, the lady will probably come here again. If she does, give her these letters. If she doesn't, then burn them with the others."
v. Wolters.
What others?
Daisy.
Those over there in the stove.
The Lady(examining the letters).
Look at this! Unsealed! Unwrapped!
v. Daisy(smiling).
He knew that I wouldn't read them.
The Lady.
I suppose from now on I shall be atyourmercy!
Daisy.
I don't know you, my lady. And even if I did, you need have no fear.
The Lady(tov. Wolters).
Isn't she kind!
v. Daisy(always respectfully).
But I should like to ask you a favour, my lady.
The Lady.
By all means. What could I deny you, my dear?
Daisy.
(Goes into the room behind and returns with the flowers thatThe Ladyhad brought.) Oh please, please take these roses--away--with you.
The Lady.
What does this mean?
v. Daisy(imploringly).
Oh, please take them!
The Lady.
What right have you to make such a shameless request of me?
Daisy.
I heard--forgive me, I didn't want to--I heard the way you spoke about him before. And it seems to me that your flowers no longer belong upon his coffin.
The Lady.
What do you say to that, Herr von Wolters? This person acts as if she were the mistress of the house!
v. Daisy(proudly).
I am.
The Lady.
(Stares at her through her lorgnette and smiles.) Oh, really!
v. Daisy(her bearing pure and proud).
The night before he died I became--his wife. (A long pause.)
The Lady.
I hope you'll come and take tea with me in the near future, Herr von Wolters.
v. Wolters.
Pray, excuse me, but official duties will make it impossible for me to----
The Lady.
(Taken aback, but quickly recovering herself.) Thank you just the same. (A loud ring.)
v. Daisy(starts and looks at the clock).
There are the troops already.--Would you be so kind, Herr von Wolters--? Please let no one come in here. (v. Woltersbows and hurries out at the right.) May I take you out the back way, my lady? No one will see you--or at least, only my mother. (As the heavy steps of the soldiers are heard, to herself, in suppressed agony.) And meanwhile--they will--take the coffin--away! (Regaining possession of herself.) But wouldn't it be better to drop your veil? (The Ladydoes so.) And your roses--do take them! (The Ladysnatches the roses from her hand.) This way, please. (She opens the door at the left and goes out slowly behindThe Lady,her eyes turned longingly toward the room behind.)
Curtain.
The Present Day.
The scene is laid at an inn situated above a watering-place in central Germany.
The veranda of an inn. The right side of the stage and half of the 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 honour, this unexpected honour--! 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 honour to Her Highness." Now, what have you got to say?
Rosa.
Herr Strübel lent me a book once. A maid of honour 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 favour 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!
(Strübelenters. 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 any way? 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, asRosabrings 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 thatyouare 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-bye, 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 letterswithcrowns and letterswithoutcrowns.
Strübel.
Letters--? Are you----?
Rosa.
There are maids of honour--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.)
(EnterFrau Von Halldorf,Liddy,andMilly.Frau Von Halldorfis 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(asMillylanguidly 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.
(AsMillyyawns 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? (TakesLiddy'splace.)
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(toMilly).
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 atRosaduring 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. (Strübelbusies 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 toRosaand 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 re-covered 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? (Rosashrugs 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 Lackeyin plain black livery enters, and remains standing at the door. He precedesThe PrincessandFrau Von Brook.The Princessis a pale, sickly, unassuming young girl, wearing a very simple walking costume and a medium-sized leghorn hat trimmed with roses.Frau Von Brookis 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 honour.--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?