Conradenters.
Conrad.
Herr Holtzmann----
EnterHoltzmann.Conradgoes out.
Holtzmann(bowing quietly).
We have a majority of twenty votes, Baron. Here are the final returns. (Hands telegram toRichard.)
Richard.
Official?
Holtzmann.
Virtually. As your co-worker, Baron, allow me to offer my congratulations. (Richardturns away without speaking.)
Beata.
You see how overcome he is, dear Herr Holtzmann. Thank you with all my heart. (Gives him her hand.)
Holtzmann(turning to leave the room).
Good-afternoon, Countess.
Richard.
Holtzmann! (Holtzmannpauses.) You've fought a good fight.
Holtzmann.
Oh, as to that----
Richard.
Thank you. (Shakes his hand.)
Holtzmann.
Don't mention it. I did my duty, that's all. (Bows and goes out.)
Beata.
Richard! Isn't the struggle over yet?
Richard.
Beata--you have made me believe--in spite of myself--that--even now--I may be of use to the cause. I shall stick to my work, and try not to think.
Beata.
It may not be as hard as you imagine.
Richard.
Perhaps not. But when the blow falls--if it falls----
Beata.
We'll laugh----
Richard.
And meanwhile----
Beata.
We'll live! (They clasp each other's hands.)
The same scenery as in the first act. The drawing-room is brightly lit, the curtain in the opening at back of stage drawn back, showing two other apartments, also brilliantly lit. In the nearest one a group of gentlemen are at the billiard-table. In the third room the rest of the guests have just left the table. For some minutesBeatais seen among them.Brachtmann,Prince Usingenandvon Berkelwitz-Grünhofare just coming out of the billiard-room, talking together.
Brachtmann.
(Coming forward withUsingen.) Prince, I want a word with you later--an important matter.
Prince.
And I want a word with you.
Brachtmann.
On the same subject, probably.
Prince.
Perhaps.
von Berkelwitz(looking about him).
Deuced fine--magnificent! You've got to come up to town to see this kind of thing.
Brachtmann.
How is it we never see you in the Reichstag nowadays, my dear fellow?
von Berkelwitz.
What's a man to do? I'm a country squire--I've got to work--and besides I'm too poor to live in town. A man has got to make a show here--keep up appearances--I--hang it, that champagne's gone to my head--what was I going to say? Oh, yes: well, you see, I've got four boys growing up; one is in the Rathenow Hussars--crack regiment, you know--I always look out for that sort of thing--but costs like the devil! The second is with the Pacific squadron on board the Princess William.Hedoesn't cost as much except when he's ashore. The third is to study forestry, and just now he's with his rifle-corps. The fourth is at college--Bonn--belongs to all the most expensive clubs--but smart, deuced smart! That's the chief thing. I expect all four to make their living out of the state, but meanwhile they're a confounded expense to me. You've no idea what it costs to keep Oscar alone in white gloves!
Prince(toBrachtmann).
And these are the sources of German statesmanship!
von Berkelwitz.
What did you say, Prince?
Prince.
Nothing, nothing.
von Berkelwitz.
Not that we can't give you as good a dinner as you'll get here. But as to keeping up a countryseat and a town house and a shooting-box and a racing-stable--why, it's out of the question. I've had to mortgage my place--and the men's wages--coming round every Saturday! well--well--I tell my boys--rich marriages--that'sthe cure. And theyoughtto, by gad! Good-looking fellows, you understand. What the deuce are we Prussian noblemen for, if the state doesn't provide for us? Just answer me that!
Prince(who has been studying the pictures).
You ought to ask the Socialists that, Herr von Berkelwitz--ask it in the Reichstag, you know. It would be rather effective. (Turns back to the pictures.) A capital Sustermans.
Brachtmann(smiling).
After all, we're all looking out for ourselves.
von Berkelwitz.
And how have we succeeded? What have we landed proprietors accomplished? Oh, we can all talk loud enough; but when it comes to action, there we stand with our hands in our pockets.
Prince.
(Who is turning over photograph-albums on the table.) Other people's pockets.
Brachtmann(laughing).
Prince--Prince!
von Berkelwitz.
(In a low tone, toBrachtmann.) I say, is that fellow making fun of us?
Brachtmann.
He's ten times more of a Conservative than either of us.
von Berkelwitz.
He talks like a Radical.
Prince(in a startled tone).
Oh, the devil!
Brachtmann.
What's the matter?
Prince.
Isn't this the Countess's writing-table?
Brachtmann.
Yes.
Prince.
Come here a moment, will you, and just glance discreetly over these papers. Do you notice anything? (Brachtmannshrugs his shoulders.) I mean among the newspapers.
Brachtmann(in a low voice, much agitated).
The devil!--That was what I wanted to speak to you about. (He points to one of the papers.)
Prince.
Ah--they've sent you one too?
Brachtmann.
In the same wrapper, addressed in the same hand. An hour ago, just as I left the house. I suppose they haven't had time to look at the last post here.
Prince.
(Taking up the paper and looking at the wrapper.) Do you know, I've half a mind----
Brachtmann.
No, no, Prince--can't be done.
Prince.
I know it can't, my dear Baron. That's the very reason.--Don't our political opponents say that property is theft? Why not reverse the axiom, and----
von Berkelwitz.
What the deuce----?
Prince.
Why, instead of putting our hands into other people's pockets, we might put other people's property into ours.
Brachtmann.
Prince, we all know your way----
von Berkelwitz.
If your Highness has made yourself sufficiently witty at our expense, perhaps you'll explain what this is? (Pointing to the paper.)
Prince.
This, my dear Herr von Berkelwitz, is a copy of the "Lengenfeld News," the Socialist organ----
von Berkelwitz.
Faugh! How can you touch it?
Prince.
Well, it touchesus, and rather nearly, as you'll see.
von Berkelwitz.
Why, what's up?
Prince.
(Taking a newspaper out of his pocket.) Look here----
von Berkelwitz.
That's the same as the other?
Prince.
Precisely. I brought it with me on your account. You will find in it an interesting report of a meeting of Socialist electors. Do me the favour to read the passage which they have thoughtfully marked for our benefit.
von Berkelwitz(reading).
"It is seldom that the honourable gentlemen of the Right, the self-constituted guardians of public morality, give us an opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes, in the gilded saloons to which the man in the street may not presume to penetrate"--confound their insolence!--"it is not often that we get a hint of what goes on behind their silken bed-curtains"--h'm, I wish they could see what I sleep on!
Prince.
Go on.
von Berkelwitz(reading).
"But now and then a happy accident yields us an edifying glimpse of their private histories. And, if I might venture to speak openly, I could give you such a glimpse into the private life of the honourable member from Lengenfeld, and into his relations with the friend whose seat in the Reichstag he has taken--the confiding friend who, instead of keeping watch in his own house, has been travelling from place to place, canvassing for the honourable member. (Laughter. Prolonged cheering.)" Lengenfeld? Lengen--why, that is Völkerlingk's district. (Brachtmannnods affirmatively.)
von Berkelwitz.
And the friend--the friend who----? (He breaks off, and points vaguely to the room.Brachtmannnods again.) The deuce!
Brachtmann.
On account of the party I suppose we shall have to take some notice of this.
Prince.
Kellinghausen evidently doesn't know of it yet. But Völkerlingk does. I watched him.
Brachtmann.
The Countess is not well. Who is the proper person to take that paper away before she sees it?
Prince(smiling).
Well, frankly, I should say Völkerlingk----
Brachtmann.
You don't mean----
Prince(still smiling).
I don't mean anything.
von Berkelwitz.
Gentlemen, I'm only a plain country squire, but I should like to suggest that the morals of our hostess are hardly a subject for discussion.
Prince.
Morals? Morals? What do morals signify? They were only invented for the preservation of the race.
von Berkelwitz.
That's over my head, your Highness.
Prince.
It's simple enough. Mankind is bound to go on reproducing itself--that's its fundamental instinct. Morality was invented to keep the strain pure. If it ceases to accomplish that purpose, it had better abdicate in favour of immorality. That's all.
von Berkelwitz.
I'll be hanged if I understand a single word.
Prince.
We all know the old families wouldn't have survived till now if the stock hadn't been renewed--surreptitiously, so to speak--by----
Brachtmann.
Really, Prince--really----
Prince.
My dear Brachtmann, it's all very well for you to look shocked. Your family hasn't had to resort to such expedients: your patent of nobility isn't more than two hundred years old. But my people have been misbehaving since the time of Lewis the Pious. Look at the result--look atme. Jaw prognathous--frontal bone asymmetrical--ears abnormal--all the symptoms of a decaying race. Thanks to several centuries of inbreeding, I must go through life a degenerate, and I assure you I haven't any talent for it. If only I could marry a healthy dairy-maid! Under such circumstances, do you wonder one loses one's respect for morality? What if two people in this house have followed the dictates of their temperament?
Brachtmann.
Prince, von Berkelwitz is right. As long as we're in the house ourselves, we'll postpone any discussion of its inmates.
Prince.
As you please. (Richard Völkerlingkis seen approaching. ThePrinceglances toward him.) Which won't prevent my feeling the sincerest sympathy for our friend there. His phenomenal self-possession is enough to confirm my suspicions.
EnterRichard.
Richard.
I've been looking for you every where, Brachtmann. I want to shake hands and tell you how glad I am to be under your orders again.
Brachtmann.
We won't talk of being under my orders, my dear Völkerlingk. You know how badly we need you, and how anxious we are to have you take the lead in the coming debate. (Richardbows.) I suppose we may count on your speaking on the Divorce Bill next Friday?
Richard(hesitating).
Why--I had hardly expected----
Brachtmann.
It's the very thing we want of you. According to the Socialists, a man and his wife are no more bound to each other than a pair of cuckoos. We need a speaker of your eloquence and your convictions to proclaim the sanctity of the marriage-bond.
Richard.
But I hardly know if I should have time to get my facts together. And besides-- (He drawsBrachtmannaside and continues in a low tone.) An hour or two ago I received a copy of a speech that a fellow called Meixner has been making against me. The man is a former secretary of mine, turned Socialist----
Brachtmann.
Ah--Meixner was your secretary?
Richard.
You knew of this?
Brachtmann.
My dear Völkerlingk, don't you see that after such an attack it's doubly important that you should speak on this very question? As for the party, I think I may say in its name that our asking you to do so is equivalent to a vote of confidence.
Richard.
Thanks, Brachtmann. I believe you're right. My refusal might be misinterpreted.
Brachtmann(turning toward the others).
We were speaking of this when you joined us. We have all received copies of the paper.
Richard(to the group).
Then I must apologise for not having mentioned the matter; but I was waiting to bring it before you in committee. It seems to be a question of personal spite, for my son has received the paper too.
Brachtmann.
And Madame von Völkerlingk?
Richard.
My wife? Why do you ask?
Brachtmann.
Look at this. (LeadsRichardto the writing-table and points to the paper.Richardstarts, but controls himself instantly.)
Prince.
We were just wondering how we could get rid of the thing before it is discovered, and we had reluctantly decided that none of us is sufficiently intimate here to tamper with the Countess's papers. Now, ifyou, my dear Baron--as an old friend of the family--knowing how important it is to spare her any excitement----
Richard(looking at him sharply).
There is only one person entitled to remove that paper, and that is Count Kellinghausen. I will speak to him at once.
Prince(aside).
Irreproachable!
Brachtmann.
My dear Völkerlingk, for heaven's sake leave Kellinghausen out of the question!
Richard.
How can I?
Brachtmann.
I have been in politics long enough to take such incidents philosophically. But Kellinghausen, easy-going as he is, strikes me as the kind of man who might make an ass of himself in such an emergency. If he loses his head he may do the party an incalculable amount of harm; whereas, if we can keep this thing from him, it will blow over in a week, and nobody be any the worse for it.
Richard.
But you forget that I am as much involved in this as Kellinghausen. It is impossible that I should stand aside and allow any reflection to be cast on--er----
Brachtmann.
You are quite right. But wait a moment. You said you meant to bring the matter up in committee, which is undoubtedly the proper way of dealing with it. The committee meets the day after to-morrow; and all I ask is that you should say nothing till then.
Richard.
And suppose I agree to that what becomes of this paper? (Pointing to the writing-table.) What if the Countess finds it?
von Berkelwitz.
Gentlemen, I'm only a plain country squire, and I haven't your refinements of conscience. (He takes the paper, tears it up and throws it into the wastepaper basket.Brachtmannand thePrincelaugh.)
von Berkelwitz.
After which act of felony I suppose I had better make my escape. (Shakes hands with the others and goes out.)
Brachtmann.
Then it's understood that, in the interests of the party, you will----
Prince.
'Sh. Here is our host.
Kellinghausenenters.
Kellinghausen.
Ah, there you are, Richard! My dear fellow, I've been hunting for you high and low. I was actually reduced to asking Madame von Völkerlingk where you were. "My dear Count," she said, "it's fifteen years since I've known where my husband was." Nice reputation you've got! Well, now I've run you to earth, sit down and let's have a talk. (To the others.) I haven't had a chance to say two words to him yet.
Prince.
My dear Brachtmann, shall we----?
Kellinghausen.
No, no; don't run off. Richard and I have no secrets. Let us take possession of this quiet corner. (ToConrad,who is passing with a tray of refreshments.) Conrad, what have you got there? Lion brew from the wood, eh?
Conrad.
Yes, your Excellency.
Kellinghausen.
That's what we always had at Bismarck's. H'm--in those days there was a power in the land. It weighed on us rather heavily at times, but we were none the worse for it. Your health, Richard, my dear fellow! Gentlemen, your healths! How deuced quiet you all are! You look as if I'd invited you to my own funeral. Good Lord, if you knew how glad I am to have got the Reichstag off my shoulders!--The other day, down at the polls, I said to one of our Lengenfeld peasants: "My dear friend--" (they're all our dear friends at election-time; we even have to put up with beingtheirdear friends). "My dear friend," said I, "I hope you're going to vote for my successor?"--"What will he give me for it?" says he. "What will the Socialist give you?" said I. "The Socialist will call you all names, and I like to hear you called names. It makes me laugh," the fellow answered. And he was right. We must amuse the masses and they'll love us. Circus-riding, my dear friends that's all the nobility are good for!
Brachtmann.
We shall miss your cheerful view of life, my dear Kellinghausen.
Kellinghausen.
H'm--that's about the only epitaph I can hope for. Ha! ha!--Well--I say, Richard, what sort of a fellow is that Meixner? (The others look up quickly.) Wasn't he your secretary at one time?
Richard.
Yes.
Kellinghausen.
How long ago?
Richard.
It must be ten or twelve years.
Kellinghausen.
Well, he has certainly profited by the training you gave him. He's raving against you like a madman.
Richard.
Did you happen to run across him?
Kellinghausen.
Heaven forbid!
Richard.
Did you hear what he said?
Kellinghausen.
Yes; Holtzmann told me about him. And I've had a lot of his speeches and proclamations sent to me. Capital stuff for lighting the fire. Well, thank the Lord, it's all over.
Richard.
I wish I knew how to thank you, Michael----
Kellinghausen.
Nonsense. None of that. By the way, I picked up a pamphlet in the train to-day--"The Ordeal" or some such name. Holtzmann tells me that Norbert wrote it. Is that true? (Richardnods.)
Brachtmann.
Ah, indeed--your son wrote----?
Kellinghausen.
I say, Richard, you give him a long rein, don't you?
Richard.
My dear Michael, the chief thing I have to thank my father for is that he gavemeone. I vowed long ago that Norbert should have as much freedom as I had.
Kellinghausen.
Well, we shall have to take the young scamp in hand before long.
Richard.
I wish you would. I should like to know who has put him up to this. He won't tell me.
EnterBeata,withBaron Ludwig von Völkerlingk.
Beata.
May we join you? Don't let us break up your party.
Baron Ludwig.
(Advancing toward the other men.) Will you allow me?
Beata(toMichael,in a low tone).
Well, are you enjoying yourself?
Kellinghausen.
Immensely, dear, immensely.
Beata.
Did you like the way I arranged the seats at table?
Kellinghausen.
Couldn't have been better. The brothers not too close together, yet near enough to talk. Now you must follow it up, and get them to make friends--eh?
Beata.
That is what I've come for. (ToRichard.) My dear Völkerlingk, I want to speak to you.
Kellinghausen.
(ToRichard,as he approaches.) Mind you obey orders, now! (Joins the others.)
Richard.
I am glad you are not too tired, Beata.
Beata.
I've been growing stronger every day since the elections. But you must take some notice of Leonie, Richard. She is saying things.