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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/34207-8.txt b/34207-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..50f5b7c --- /dev/null +++ b/34207-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6370 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben), by +Hermann Sudermann + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben) + A Play in Five Acts + +Author: Hermann Sudermann + +Translator: Edith Wharton + +Release Date: November 4, 2010 [EBook #34207] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOY OF LIVING *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + 1. Page scan source: + http://www.archive.org/details/joyoflivingthe00suderich + + 2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe]. + + + + + + THE JOY OF LIVING + + (_ES LEBE DAS LEBEN_) + + A PLAY IN FIVE ACTS + + + + BY + HERMANN SUDERMANN + + + + TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN + BY + EDITH WHARTON + + + + CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS + NEW YORK:::::::::::::::::1906 + + + + + + _Copyright, 1902, by Charles Scribner's Sons_ + + + + Published, November, 1902 + + + + + + TROW DIRECTORY + PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY + NEW YORK + + + + + _Translator's Note_ + + +_The translation of dramatic dialogue is attended with special +difficulties, and these are peculiarly marked in translating from +German into English. The German sentence carries more ballast than +English readers are accustomed to, and while in translating narrative +one may, by means of subordinate clauses, follow the conformation of +the original, it is hard to do so in rendering conversation, and +virtually impossible when the conversation is meant to be spoken on the +stage. To English and American spectators the long German speeches are +a severe strain on the attention, and even in a translation intended +only for the "closet" a too faithful adherence to German construction +is not the best way of doing justice to the original._ + +_Herr Sudermann's dialogue is more concise than that of many other +German dramatists; yet in translation his sentences and speeches need +to be divided and recast: to preserve the spirit, the letter must be +modified. This is true not only of the construction of his dialogue but +also of his forms of expression. Wherever it has been possible, his +analogies, his allusions, his "tours de phrase," have been scrupulously +followed; but where they seemed to obscure his meaning to English +readers some adaptation has been necessary. Apart from these trifling +changes, the original has been closely followed; and such modifications +as have been made were suggested solely by the wish to reproduce Herr +Sudermann's meaning more closely than a literal translation would have +allowed._ + + + + + CHARACTERS + + Count Michael von Kellinghausen. + Beata, his wife. + Ellen, their daughter. + Baron Richard von Völkerlingk. + Leonie, his wife. + Norbert, their son, reading for the Bar. + Baron Ludwig von Völkerlingk (_Secretary of State, Richard's + step-brother_). + Prince Usingen. + Baron von Brachtmann. + Herr von Berkelwitz-Grünhof. + Dr. Kahlenberg (_Privy Councillor at the Board of Physicians_). + Holtzmann (_candidate for Holy Orders, private Secretary to Baron + Richard von Völkerlingk_). + Meixner. + A Physician. + Conrad, servant at Count Kellinghausen's. + George, Baron Richard's servant. + Another Servant. + +_The scene is laid in Berlin--the first three and the fifth acts at the +house of Count Kellinghausen; the fourth act at Baron Richard +Völkerlingk's._ + + _Period: about 1899_. + + + + + ACT I + + + + + THE JOY OF LIVING + + + + + ACT I + + +_A drawing-room in the Empire style in_ Count Kellinghausen's _house. +In front, on the left, a fireplace; to the left, in the background, a +door to the inner apartments; to the right, back, a door into the front +passage; in the foreground, on the right, a window. In the centre of +back wall a wide opening between two columns, partly closed by an old +Gobelins tapestry. On the right a sofa, table and chairs. On the left, +in front of the fireplace, several low seats. Near the middle, placed +diagonally, a writing-table with shelves; beside the table two seats +with low backs and a comfortable arm-chair. Old portraits and coloured +prints on the walls._ + +Holtzmann _is seated at the back of the room, a portfolio on his lap_. +Conrad _ushers in_ Baron Ludwig. + + + Conrad (_in the doorway_). + +If your Excellency will kindly come this way--the doctor is with Madame +von Kellinghausen. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Ah? In that case perhaps I had better---- + + Conrad. + +Madame von Kellinghausen will be here in a moment, your Excellency. The +other gentleman has already been announced. (_Indicating_ Holtzmann.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +Very well. (Conrad _goes out_.) + + Holtzmann (_rises and makes a deep bow_). + + Baron Ludwig. + +(_Bowing slightly in return wanders about the room and at last pauses +before_ Holtzmann.) I beg your pardon but--surely I know your face. + + Holtzmann. + +Very likely, your Excellency. My name is Holtzmann, private secretary +to Baron Richard von Völkerlingk. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Indeed? I am so seldom at my brother's. The fact is--er, well. +Yesterday was election-day at Lengenfeld, by the way. The papers were +full of it this morning. It seems to cause a good deal of surprise that +Count Kellinghausen should not only have withdrawn in favour of my +brother, but should actually have gone about canvassing for him. I +daresay that's an exaggeration, though? + + Holtzmann. + +On the contrary, your Excellency. The Count has been down in the +country electioneering for weeks. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Really? And you were with him, I suppose? + + Holtzmann (_with a dry smile_). + +Very much so, your Excellency. I should be sorry to be answerable for +all the nonsense I've had to talk and write! + + Baron Ludwig. + +H'm--just so. Nonsense always wins. Who said that, by the way? Julian +the Apostate, wasn't it? + + Holtzmann. + +No, your Excellency. Talbot. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Julian might have said it. The losing side always philosophises. + + Holtzmann. + +I hope we sha'n't be on the losing side. + + Baron Ludwig. + +H'm. What is your profession? + + Holtzmann. + +Theology, your Excellency. + + Baron Ludwig. + +And how long do you think it will be before it lands you in socialism? + + Holtzmann (_offended_). +Excellency! + + Baron Ludwig. + +My dear sir, look at the examples! I remember a predecessor of yours at +my brother's--a theological student also, I believe. Well, he landed +with both feet in the middle of the Socialist camp. + + Holtzmann. + +Yes, I know, your Excellency. You mean Meixner. + + Baron Ludwig. + +That reminds me--I hear the fellow has actually been taking a leading +hand in the fight against my brother. + + Holtzmann. + +The report is true. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Well, I hope you hit back hard. + + Holtzmann. + +That is what I was there for, your Excellency. + + _Enter_ Beata _and_ Dr. Kahlenberg. + + Beata. + +I hadn't dared to hope that your Excellency would answer my summons so +promptly. + + Baron Ludwig (_kissing her hand_). + +My dear Countess, your summons was a command--and one I was only too +happy to obey. (Beata _turns to_ Holtzmann.) Ah, good-morning, my dear +doctor. + + Kahlenberg. + +Good-morning, your Excellency. How is it you haven't been in lately to +let me look you over? A guilty conscience, eh? + + Baron Ludwig. + +Lack of time, doctor. Give me a day of twenty-five hours, and I'll +devote one of them to consulting my physician. + + Kahlenberg. + +Who will order you to rest during the other twenty-four. + + Baron Ludwig. + +We all get that order sooner or later, doctor--and from a chief we have +to obey. (_In a low voice_.) How is the Countess? + + Kahlenberg (_same tone_). + +No worse. (_To_ Beata.) And now, my dear lady, I must be off--but +what's the matter? + + Beata (_joyously excited, a paper in her hand_). + +Oh, nothing--nothing--nothing---- + + Kahlenberg (_in a tone of friendly reproach_). + +You know I've warned you---- + + Beata. + +Not to feel, not to think, not to laugh, not to cry--not to live, in +short, dear doctor! + + Kahlenberg. + +Well, I don't object to the laughing. + + Beata. + +It's just as well you don't, for it's a habit you couldn't break me of. +There is so much to laugh at in this vale of tears! Well, good-bye, +doctor! (Kahlenberg _goes out_.) + + Beata (_to_ Baron Ludwig). + +This will interest you too. Herr Holtzmann--you know Herr +Holtzmann?--has just brought me the returns from Lengenfeld. Only +fancy, your brother has a majority of a hundred and thirty-one! Think +of that! + + Baron Ludwig. + +Don't let us be too sanguine. + + Beata. + +Oh---- + + Holtzmann. + +Six districts are still to be heard from, Countess, and we know that +four of these belong to the Socialists. It is still doubtful if we can +gain a majority. + + Beata (_concealing her disappointment_). + +And when do you expect to hear the final result? + + Holtzmann. + +At any moment now. + + Beata. + +And when you _do_ hear---- + + Holtzmann. + +I will jump into a cab and bring you the news instantly. + + Beata. + +Thank you so 'much. (_Gives him her hand_.) Is Baron Völkerlingk at +home? + + Holtzmann. + +He went for a ride. I daresay I shall find him on my return. + + Beata. + +Remember me to him, won't you? (Holtzmann _takes leave with a bow_.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +What do you hear from Kellinghausen? He is still at Lengenfeld, I hear. + + Beata. + +I have just had a letter. Now that the elections are over he means to +take a day's shooting, and then he is coming home--free from his +party-duties for the first time in years! + + Baron Ludwig. + +And what does the Egeria of the party say to such a state of things? + + Beata. + +Do you mean _me_, your Excellency? + + Baron Ludwig. + +I mean the woman at whose delightful dinner-table the fate of more than +one important bill has been decided. Now that Kellinghausen has retired +into private life, do you mean to keep up the little political dinners +we've always been so much afraid of? + + Beata. + +I hope so, your Excellency. And if you care to beard the lion in his +den, I shall be charmed to send you an invitation. You haven't dined +with us in an age. I've always fancied that the estrangement between +your brother and yourself might be the cause of our seeing so little of +you. + + Baron Ludwig. + +My dear Countess, those eyes of yours see through everything; and I +read in them all the answers I might make to that question. Ah, +well--Richard had the good luck, the unspeakable good luck, to win your +friendship, and under your influence, to develop into the man he is! + + Beata. + +I know how to listen when clever men are talking. That is the secret of +what you call my influence. + + Baron Ludwig. + +You think so?--Well--there was Richard, dabbling in poetry and +politics, in archćology and explorations, like the typical noble +amateur. He had a fortune from his mother, while I was poor. But in one +respect I was richer than he; for he married a fool who dragged him +down to the level of her own silly snobbishness. But then you came--and +lifted him up again. Then all his dormant powers awoke--he discovered +his gift as a speaker, he became the mouthpiece of the party, he got +into the Reichstag, and---- + + Beata. + +And dropped out again. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Exactly. And the estrangement between us dates from that time. It was +reported that government had left him in the lurch, and I was thought +to be more or less responsible. + + Beata. + +At all events, his career was cut short. And he failed again at the +next election. + + Baron Ludwig. + +And now your friendship has helped him to success. + + Beata. + +My husband's friendship, you mean. + + Baron Ludwig. + +In my loveless household I know too little of the power of woman to +pronounce definitely on that point. + + Beata. + +You do well to suspend your judgment. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Ah, now you are displeased with me. I am sorry. I might be of use to +you. + + Beata. + +If you wish to be of use to me you can do so by becoming your brother's +friend. It was to ask you this that I sent for you. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Countess, I wonder at your faith in human nature! + + Beata. + +Human nature has never deceived me. + + Baron Ludwig. + +One would adore you for saying that if one hadn't so many other reasons +for doing so! + + Beata (_laughing_). + +Pretty speeches at our age? + + Baron Ludwig. + +You may talk of my age, but not of yours. + + Beata. + +Look at the grey hair--here, on my temples; and my medicine-bottles +over there. I never stir without them now. + + Baron Ludwig. + +I have been distressed to hear of your illness. + + Beata. + +Yes, my heart bothers me--an old story. My heart is tired--and I--I'm +not. And when I drive it too hard it grows a little restive now and +then. But it doesn't matter! (_Enter_ Ellen.) Is that you, Ellen? Come +in, dear. + + Ellen (_in skating dress_). + +Mother, dear, I didn't know you had a visitor. How do you do, your +Excellency? + + Baron Ludwig. + +How do you do, young lady? Dear me dear me what have you been growing +into? + + Ellen. + +Into life, your Excellency! + + Baron Ludwig. + +Ha--very good--very neat. So many people just grow past it. + + Beata. + +And how was the skating, dear? + + Ellen. + +Oh, heavenly. Norbert and I simply flew. Poor Miss Mansborough--we left +her miles behind! + + Beata. + +Well, run away now. Take off your fur jacket--you're too warm. + + Ellen. + +Good-bye, your Excellency. + + Baron Ludwig. + +_Au revoir_, little Countess. (Ellen _goes out_.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +What a little wonder you've made of her! + + Beata. + +She _is_ developing, isn't she? + + Baron Ludwig. + +And my nephew Norbert--you have developed him too. A very comprehensive +piece of work. (Beata _laughs_.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +If only he doesn't stray from the path you've marked out for him. + + Beata. + +Ah--you are thinking of that pamphlet of his? + + Baron Ludwig (_nods_). + +An attack on duelling, I understand? Well, it's no business of mine. + + Beata. + +He is not as immature as you think. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Indeed? + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Conrad (_announcing_). + +Baron von Brachtmann, his Highness Prince Usingen. + + Baron Ludwig. + +The pillars of the state! Brachtmann especially. This is something for +me to remember, Countess. + + _Enter_ Brachtmann _and_ Prince. Conrad _goes out_. + + Brachtmann. + +My dear Countess---- + + Beata. + +I am so glad to see you. And you, Prince. Always faithful to the cause? + + Prince. + +Yes, Countess; as far as fidelity is consonant with perfect inactivity. +Glad to shake hands between two rounds, your Excellency. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Our encounters are not sanguinary, your Highness. + + Prince. + +No although one adversary occasionally cuts another. (_Laughter_.) + + Brachtmann. + +We ventured to call, Countess, because we fancied that Völkerlingk +would keep you posted as to the news from Lengenfeld. + + Beata. + +Baron Völkerlingk has done me no such honour. But--by the merest +accident--his secretary was here just now. Here are the latest returns. +(_Hands him the paper_.) + + Brachtmann (_bending over the paper_). + +H'm, h'm---- + + Prince. + +Let me see. + + Brachtmann. + +Well, we'll hope for the best. Kellinghausen's personal popularity has +secured a conservative majority till now; but now that he has withdrawn +in favour of another man--even though that man is Völkerlingk--the +result is more than doubtful. + + Baron Ludwig. + +I confess, Countess, that even if Kellinghausen looked upon his +politics merely as a branch of sport, I don't quite understand his +sacrificing his career to my brother. + + Beata. + +My husband is very easy-going. He has no ambition. They had bothered +him dreadfully at their committee-meetings about things he didn't +understand--at least he said he didn't. The truth is, it probably bored +him. + + Brachtmann. + +But how about his fanatical devotion to the party? If we are all +monomaniacs on that subject, he is certainly the worst. He felt more +keenly than any of us what the party lost in losing your brother (_to_ +Baron Ludwig)--he realised our need of Völkerlingk's efficiency and +energy. He saw what a great power was lying idle. Doesn't that explain +his action? + + Baron Ludwig. + +I needn't tell you, Herr von Brachtmann, how pleasant it is to hear my +brother praised. I quite realise how much you need him at this +particular moment with the debate on the civil code pending, and the +serious questions likely to come up in connection with it. (_To_ +Beata.) But that Kellinghausen should have consented to withdraw, even +in such an emergency-- I have so often heard him say, Countess, that it +was the duty of a landed proprietor to represent the district in which +his property lay. He said it was the only justification of a +representative government. + + Beata. + +But you know you, all say that! + + Prince. + +My dear Countess, the revolutionary spirit has entered into our +traditions, and the modern idea of making a revolution is to gird at +existing institutions. Why deprive us of such an innocent amusement? + + Baron Ludwig. + +Really, Prince--pardon me--but since, by birth and political +affiliations, you are a supporter of existing institutions, would it +not be well to speak of them less flippantly? + + Prince. + +Why, my dear Baron?--Countess, shall I show you the attitude of the +modern state toward its citizens? Here we are: the state with its hand +in its pocket, the citizen with his fist clenched. And the only way to +unclench the citizen's fist is for the state to pull something out of +its pocket. There's the situation in a nutshell. It's a matter of taste +whether one respects such an institution or not. + + Brachtmann. + +You know. Baron, he is the spoiled child of the party. + + Prince. + +Its prodigal son, you mean. I squandered all my original ideas long +ago, and am living on the husks of the feudal tradition. But we are +boring Madame von Kellinghausen. (_The three men rise_.) + + Beata. + +Good-bye, Prince--Herr von Brachtmann. (_To_ Baron Ludwig.) Whenever +your solitude weighs on you, come in and let me give you a cup of tea. + + Baron Ludwig. + +You are very good. But I am afraid it is too late to begin. + + Beata. + +It is never too late to renew an old friendship. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Thank you. (_Goes out with the two other men_.) + + Ellen _enters_. + + Ellen. + +(_Throwing her arms about her mother's neck_.) Mother! You dear little +mamma! + + Beata. + +Well, madcap--what is it now? + + Ellen. + +Oh, nothing, nothing. I'm so happy, that's all. + + Beata. + +What are you happy about, dear? + + Ellen. + +I don't know--does one ever? + + Beata. + +Has anything in particular happened? + + Ellen. + +No; nothing. That is--Norbert said-- Oh, yes to be sure; we met Uncle +Richard. + + Beata. + +Ah--where? + + Ellen. + +In the Zoo. On horseback. He sent his love and said he would be in +before dinner. Norbert is coming too. Mother, is it true that Uncle +Richard is such a wonderful speaker? Norbert says he can do what he +likes with people. + + Beata. + +Some people--but only those whose thoughts he can turn into feelings, +or whose feelings he can turn into thoughts. Do you understand? + + Ellen. + +Oh, yes! You mean, one can give only to those who have something to +give in return? + + Beata. + +Yes. + + Ellen. + +But he must have great power--I am sure of it! He's always so quiet, +and says so little--yet one feels there's a great fire inside--and +sometimes it blazes up. + + Beata (_laughing_). + +What do you know about it? + + Ellen. + +Oh, I know. It's just the same with-- Mother, how can people _bear_ +life sometimes? It's so beautiful one simply can't breathe! + + Beata (_with emotion_). + +Yes, it _is_ beautiful. And even when it's nothing but pain and fear +and renunciation, even then it's still beautiful, Ellen. + + Ellen (_alarmed_). + +Mother--what is the matter? + + Beata. + +Nothing, dear. I'm only a little tired. (_She goes to the door_.) + + Conrad _enters_. + + Conrad. + +Baron Norbert. (_Goes out_.) + + Norbert _enters_. + + Norbert. + +How d'ye do, Aunt Beata? How are you to-day? + + Beata (_wearily_). + +Very well, thanks. + + Ellen (_anxiously_). + +No, not very well. (Beata _signs her to be silent_.) + + Norbert. + +This is Thursday. Ellen and I were to read _I Promessi Sposi_ together; +but if I might say a word to you first---- + + Beata. + +Presently, Norbert. Wait for me here. + + Ellen. + +Don't you want me, mother? + + Beata. + +No, dear. Stay with Norbert. I shall be back in a moment. (_She goes +out_.) + + Ellen (_looking after her_). + +Oh, Norbert! + + Norbert. + +Is she really worse? + + Ellen. + +No, she is just the same as usual. But at night--oh, Norbert, she's +never in bed. All night she wanders, wanders. When I hear her coming, I +lie quite still. If she knew I was awake she might not come any more. +She never touches me, but just bends over and strokes my pillow, oh, so +softly! And she breathes so hard, as if it hurt her--and then gradually +she grows quiet again. When you see her in the daytime, so gay and dear +and busy, so full of other people's pleasures, you'd never guess the +misery she endures. Oh, Norbert, you _do_ love her, don't you? + + Norbert. + +I believe I love her better than my own mother. + + Ellen. + +No, no, Norbert, that's wicked. You mustn't say that. + + Norbert. + +Perhaps not, but I can't help feeling it. And why shouldn't I, after +all? When I was a boy my father was everything to me--after that he was +always travelling, and I was left to my own devices. There are so many +things that puzzle a chap when there's no one to talk them over with. +It's different with girls, I suppose. At first I used to go to +my mother: _she's_ always found life simple enough. Visits, and +parties, and church--she looks upon church-going as another kind of +visiting--well, do you know what _she_ said to me? "In the first place, +my dear boy, your trousers are shocking. What you need is a good +tailor. Then you ought to take up lawn tennis--and after that, we'll +see." Well, that didn't help me much. And then your mother took pity on +me. Again and again she's let me sit up half the night, talking things +over with her. + + Ellen. + +And now you and she have got something to say to each other again. What +is it, Norbert? Do tell me! Why can't _I_ help you as well as mother? + + Norbert. + +Perhaps you'd like to do my examination papers for me? + + Ellen. + +Nonsense; it's not that.--But you don't care for me any more. + + Norbert. + +You silly child! + + Ellen. + +You told me you did once--long ago--but since then--you've never +once---- + + Norbert. + +Listen, dear. I made an awful ass of myself that day. Do you know what +I did? I called on your father to ask his permission to marry you. + + Ellen. + +And you never told me? + + Norbert. + +Luckily your father was out--and as for your mother--well, she simply +laughed at me! + + Ellen. + +Oh! + + Norbert. + +Oh, you know how your mother laughs at one. It doesn't hurt. "Dear +boy," she said, in the kindest way, "it's too soon to talk of such +things to Ellen. You must give her time to grow up." And I gave her my +word I would; and you see I've kept it. + + Ellen. + +And if mother should---- + + Beata _enters_. + + Beata. + +Ellen, dear, go to Miss Mansborough. It's time for your reading. +Norbert will come in a moment. + + Ellen. + +Yes, mother. (_Goes out_.) + + Beata (_who has been watching them closely_). + +By the way, Norbert--what about that promise you made me? + + Norbert. + +I've kept it, Aunt Beata. + + Beata. + +Then you want to talk to me about something else? + + Norbert. + +Yes. The storm-signals are up. My college club has turned on me: one, +two, three, and out you go! + + Beata. + +Not in disgrace? + + Norbert. + +I'm not so sure. I got an official letter yesterday from the committee, +asking me if I was the author of a pamphlet called "The Ordeal." + + Beata. + +Why did you write it under an assumed name? + + Norbert. + +Only on my father's account. + + Beata. + +If you disguised yourself at all, you ought to have done so more +thoroughly. + + Norbert. + +Why, Aunt Beata! Haven't you often told me that every reformer must +have the courage of his convictions? + + Beata. + +Yes; but I've no sympathy with unnecessary martyrdom. Keep a cool head, +dear boy, and don't be drawn into controversy just yet. Haven't I often +told you that this college duelling you rail against is only a +preparation for the real battle of life--the battle of ideas and +beliefs? You'll come to that later--ask your father how it is! + + Norbert. + +Oh, father--of course he's only interested in big things. + + Beata. + +What does he say to your article? + + Norbert. + +Immature. + + Beata. + +Was he vexed? + + Norbert. + +When I asked him if it annoyed him, he laughed and said:--"I know the +world too well to agree with you. But you must work out the problem for +yourself. I sha'n't interfere." + + Beata. + +Well, what more do you want? Did you expect him to go into raptures? + + Norbert. + +Wait and see, Aunt Beata! I mean to suffer for my convictions. I mean +to brave persecution. Is that a laughing matter? + + Beata. + +Come! Come! No bragging--not even about persecution. It's intoxicating +at first, but the after-taste is bitter. + + Norbert. + +Don't make fun of me, Aunt Beata. + + Beata. + +Heaven forbid! You know _I_ don't disapprove of your article. + + Norbert. + +How could you? Isn't it all yours? + + Beata. + +I don't understand anything about duelling. + + Norbert. + +No, but my ideas are yours--every one of them. All I've said about +self-restraint--about striving toward an harmonious whole--about +the Greek ideal of freedom--and how posterity will smile at our +struggles--it's all yours, Aunt Beata, every word of it. + + Beata. + +Don't tell your father! And besides, it isn't. My ideas have got +twisted in that wild young brain of yours. And it might annoy him to +think that I had put them there---- + + Norbert. + +Oh, Aunt Beata, _I_ know what you really think. But, of course, if you +don't want me to, I---- + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Conrad (_announcing_). + +Baron Völkerlingk. + + _Enter_ Richard. Conrad _goes out_. + + Richard. + +Well, dear friend? What sort of a night have you had? Not good, I'm +afraid. + + Beata. + +There's no use in trying to deceive you. Have you just come from your +own house? + + Richard. + +Yes. + + Beata. + +Well? Telegrams? + + Richard. + +None for the last two hours. Well, Norbert, you here, as usual? (_To_ +Beata.) So you have the younger generation on your hands too? + + Beata (_laughing_). + +So much the better, since the older shows itself so seldom nowadays. + + Richard. + +Ah, well---- + + Beata. + +Good-bye, Norbert dear. + + Norbert (_kissing_ Beata's _hand_). + +Good-bye, father. (Richard _nods to him_. Norbert goes out.) + + Beata. + +Will you dine with me to-day, Richard? (Richard _shakes his head_.) + + Beata. + +Just we two? + + Richard. + +I can't: my wife has a dinner: an ambassador and his wife, two lights +of the Church, and others of the same feather. I must show myself on +such occasions, to keep up appearances. + + Beata. + +I'm sorry. I should have liked to have you with me--to-day. How do you +stand the suspense? Perhaps I don't show it--but I'm in a fever. + + Richard. + +It's telling on me too. The fact is, any poor devil of a mountebank is +a king compared to one of us. He does his trick and gets his pay.--Oh, +this last fortnight! If you'd seen me driven about from village to +village like a travelling quack! Freedom and hot words, free beer and +hot sausages! And, to cap the climax, a fellow who used to be my +private secretary leading the campaign against me! Bah--it was +horrible. As for Michael, with his Olympian calm, he saw only the +humorous side of it. (_Laughing_.) + + Beata. + +I wonder he let you leave before the election. + + Richard. + +He thought I ought not to make myself too cheap. I quite agreed with +him, and took myself off. Hang the democracy! + + Beata. + +If only the noblemen who want to rule could get on without it! + + Richard. + +They could, if the spirit of the age hadn't turned them into +demagogues. + + Beata. + +Did Holtzmann do as well as you expected? + + Richard. + +Admirably. But he's been going about with such a long face lately that +he's rather got on my nerves.--I heard you had told him to come back +when the returns are in--may I wait for him here?--When one thinks that +something will come in at that door presently--something dressed like +Holtzmann, looking like Holtzmann--and that that something will be +Fate--nothing more or less than Fate! + + Beata. + +And if he comes in and says--or rather, if he doesn't say anything? +Remember, Richard, even if _that_ happens, you've got to go on living! + + Richard. + +Of course. Why not? It's all in the day's work. An Indian penitent was +once asked: "Why do you go on living?" And his answer was: "Because I +am dead."--Oh, I don't mean to be ungrateful. As long as I have you, +dear--as long as you are here to live my life with me, to give it +colour and meaning and purpose--let come what may, nothing else +matters. + + Beata. + +Don't say that--don't---- + + Richard. + +Am I exaggerating? Why, ever since we-- How long ago is it that we met +for the first time, in the wood at Tarasp? Fifteen years? + + Beata. + +It seems like yesterday. + + Richard. + +You passed between the dark pine-trunks like an apparition. You wore a +pink dress and had Ellen by the hand. + + Beata. + +She was tired and had begun to cry. + + Richard. + +I saw that she wanted to be carried. + + Beata. + +And I was just recovering from an illness, and was too weak to lift +her. You raised your hat--no, it was the white cap you wore---- + + Richard. + +Do you remember that? + + Beata. + +Good heavens, what was I then, and what have you made of me? My +own--let me call you that just once, Richard, as I used to do--just +once, on this great day--my own! (Richard _looks nervously toward the +door_.) + + Beata. + +There is no one coming. + + Richard. + +_Let_ you! + + Beata. + +What a quiet happy little woman I was! That "happy" is not meant as a +reproach, dearest! I have a boundless capacity for happiness, and it +kept me company even in the loneliness of my early married life--for in +those days Michael didn't take much notice of me. It was you who showed +him that I was worth noticing. And so you built up my new life--a hard +life to carry, at times, a life bowed under its own wealth as the vine +is bowed under its fruit--but how it has grown under your hand, +dearest, how it has spread and strengthened!--Now you're laughing at +me, Richard. + + Richard. + +Beata--no one knows as you do how I have blundered and struggled. What +are you trying to do? Do you want to give me more faith in myself, or +do you really think I've done all that for you? + + Beata. + +I know every line in your forehead, I watch every look in your eye, I +read every thought in your soul--there are some I could wish away, for +they only make you miserable--but no one knows as I do what you are, +and what you have been to me! + + Richard. + +When will Michael be here? + + Beata. + +How suddenly you ask that! You are tormenting yourself again. +Dear--dearest--don't look like that! Why, it never really +happened--it's been dead and buried for years--dead and buried, every +trace of it. No one knows what we were to each other, no one even +dreams it. And we're old people now--you and I. Only think, I shall +soon be forty! Who is going to ask two old mummies what follies they +committed in the year one? + + Richard. + +You are pretending not to care, Beata. Don't do that! + + Beata. + +Don't weigh every word I say--just look into my wicked heart. Your +conscience has nothing to do with that! And if you're fond of +Michael--if we're both fond of him--and why shouldn't we both be fond +of him--that dear, good, cheery Michael of ours?--why, that needn't +make you probe the depths of your soul for fresh wickedness. I tell you +we've paid for everything, even to the uttermost farthing! + + Richard. + +Do you think so? It seems to me that when a man and a woman have found +everything in each other, as we have, when they have been to each other +the strength and the meaning and the object of life--when they've +resolved to die fighting back to back, together to the last, as you +used to say it seems to me that in such a case there isn't much room +for expiation. If Purgatory is like that it must be fairly habitable. +(Beata _laughs_.) Ah, now you are flippant. + + Beata. + +Be thankful that one of us is, dear! + + Richard. + +I remember when I lost my seat, six years ago--it was a hard knock, I +can tell you--everything went under at once--well, I said to myself: +This is my punishment. And the idea never left me. While I was +wandering about the world, or vegetating down in the country, I +actually used to get a kind of comfort out of it. And now? Do you know, +I sometimes fancy you wouldn't be altogether sorry if I lost my +election again. + + Beata (_laughingly_). + +Really? Do you think that? + + Richard. + +In fact I'm not at all sure you hold with the party any longer. + + Beata. + +What--I, its Egeria? An elderly party-nymph gone wrong? What a shocking +idea! + + Richard. + +I'm sure of one thing you enjoy looking over our heads. + + Beata. + +Don't say _our_ heads--don't include yourself with the rest. You think +of your duty; they think of their rights. You use the masses in order +to serve them. The others think only of power. + + Richard. + +Oh, as to that--we all want power. + + Beata. + +Yes: the question is, for whose benefit?--Ah, well, I see I shall have +to tell you--you ought to know--the sooner the better, I suppose! + + Richard. + +Tell me what? + + Beata. + +Dear--did you really think it was Michael's fondest wish to resign his +seat in Parliament, and live only for his horses? + + Richard. + +I've heard him say so often enough. + + Beata. + +And so you leaped into the breach--in the interests of the party? + + Richard (_hesitating_). + +And because--(_suddenly_) Beata--there's been some deception? (Beata +_nods_.) Some one has been working against me----? + + Beata. + +Or for you--as you please.--Sit down beside me, dear; give me +both your hands--so! And now listen. I couldn't bear to see your +disappointment--your suffering--I suffered with you too intensely! And +so--don't look so startled, or I shall lose heart and be afraid to go +on.--How shall I tell you?--It's taken me a year a whole year's work. +By degrees I persuaded him that he was unsuited to Parliamentary +life--gradually I turned him against the pottering routine-work which +is the only thing he can do--little by little I made him see what a +boon it would be for the country and the party if he would only let you +take his place. Till at last he did---- + + Richard (_rising_). + +Ah---- + + Beata. + +Can you say _now_ that I didn't want you elected? (Richard _is +silent_.) I should never have told you this if I hadn't known that his +pride in his heroic feat would make him betray himself sooner or later. +(_A pause_.) After all, think how little he's given up! To him it was +only a--pastime--to you it is life. I had no choice, had I? You do see +that, don't you? (_A pause_.) Richard, I may be a very wicked woman, +but at least I deserve one look from you! + + Richard. + +Beata! Beata! What can I say? What can I say? You know how I've always +tried to keep our feeling for each other within the bounds--the bounds +of-- You know how it was twelve years ago--when I found myself +gradually slipping into intimacy with him, I came to you and said: +"Either this thing ends here, or I tell him everything. I won't take +his hand and play the sneak. If I do, we shall lose our respect for +each other as well as our self-respect." And then we hit on this +friendship as a way out of it--a way of not losing each other +altogether. It wasn't a very honourable solution--but this--this new +sacrifice--if I accept this--God! If Holtzmann were to come in now and +tell me the other man has won, what a load he would take off my mind! + + Beata. + +Richard--how can you? + + Richard. + +Think of it: To-morrow I shall have to make that speech. My position, +my convictions, compel me to appear as the spokesman of the highest +ideals--and all the while I shall owe my seat to the friend whose +holiest ties I have trampled on---- + + Beata. + +And if they were not the holiest----? + + Richard (_startled_). + +Beata! + + Beata. + +Don't turn from me. I've loved you so long! + + Richard (_clasps her hands_). + +One thing more. Listen to me. You played too reckless a game. Such +things are avenged. No one knows what happened in the past. Twelve +years have covered it; but it's ill disturbing the dead. Such things +are avenged. Remember that. + + Beata. + +Well--and what of it? + + Richard. + +What of it? + + Beata. + +I shouldn't care--except for Norbert and Ellen. For I mean them to have +all the happiness we have missed. Nothing must ever come between-- +Hush! That is Holtzmann's voice. (_She presses her left hand to her +heart_.) Quite steady. (_She holds out her right hand to_ Richard.) +Feel my pulse it's perfectly steady. + + Conrad _enters_. + + Conrad. + +Herr Holtzmann---- + + _Enter_ Holtzmann. Conrad _goes out_. + + Holtzmann (_bowing quietly_). + +We have a majority of twenty votes, Baron. Here are the final returns. +(_Hands telegram to_ Richard.) + + Richard. + +Official? + + Holtzmann. + +Virtually. As your co-worker, Baron, allow me to offer my +congratulations. (Richard _turns 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! (Holtzmann _pauses_.) 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_.) + + + Curtain. + + + + + ACT II + + + + + ACT II + + +_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 minutes_ Beata _is seen +among them_. Brachtmann, Prince Usingen _and_ von Berkelwitz-Grünhof +_are just coming out of the billiard-room, talking together._ + + Brachtmann. + +(_Coming forward with_ Usingen.) 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. _He_ +doesn'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 (_to_ Brachtmann). + +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's_ the cure. And they _ought_ to, +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, to_ Brachtmann.) 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? (Brachtmann _shrugs 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 touches _us_, 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. +(Brachtmann _nods affirmatively_.) + + von Berkelwitz. + +And the friend--the friend who----? (_He breaks off, and points vaguely +to the room_. Brachtmann _nods 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 +at _me_. 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 Völkerlingk _is seen approaching. The_ Prince +_glances 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. + + _Enter_ Richard. + + 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. (Richard _bows_.) 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 draws_ Brachtmann _aside 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. (_Leads_ Richard _to the writing-table and points to the +paper_. Richard _starts, 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, +if _you_, 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_. Brachtmann _and the_ Prince _laugh_.) + + 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. + + Kellinghausen _enters_. + + 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. (_To_ Conrad, _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 being _their_ dear 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? (Richard _nods_.) + + 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 gave _me_ one. 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. + + _Enter_ Beata, _with_ Baron 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 (_to_ Michael, _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. (_To_ Richard.) My dear Völkerlingk, I want +to speak to you. + + Kellinghausen. + +(_To_ Richard, _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. + + Richard. + +Let her. It's her specialty. + + Beata. + +Every one knows that she never comes here, and her being here to-night +is making people talk. + + Baron Ludwig. + +(_Approaching his brother, evidently at_ Kellinghausen's +_instigation_.) Ah, here are the two friends talking together. + + Beata. + +(_Looking from one brother to the other_.) And the two enemies, +too--thank heaven! + + Baron Ludwig. + +The Countess is right, Richard. It was foolish of us not to speak to +each other. + + Richard. + +My dear Ludwig, perhaps we hadn't enough to say. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Or too much! + + Richard. + +Possibly. (_To_ Beata.) But, Countess---- + + Beata (_turning to join the others_). + +No, no. I am going to leave you two together. (_She moves away_.) + + Richard. + +Why do you look at her so strangely? + + Baron Ludwig. + +Strangely? What do you mean? + + Richard. + +You begrudge me this friendship, Ludwig. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Do I? Perhaps. You must remember that I am very lonely. I had hoped +that your house might---- + + Richard. + +My house? With Leonie----? + + Baron Ludwig. + +Yes--your friend is different from Leonie. + + Richard. + +You needn't envy me, Ludwig. My friend is a dying woman. Every day I +ask myself if I shall ever see her again. + + Baron Ludwig. + +My dear Richard, the woman lives in a thousand energies. She will +survive us both. + + Richard. + +God grant it! + + Baron Ludwig. + +But--be on your guard. + + Richard. + +What do you mean? + + Baron Ludwig. + +(_Glancing at_ Kellinghausen.) Can we find a quiet corner somewhere? +(_He takes_ Richard's _arm and they go toward the other room_.) + + _Enter_ Leonie, _on_ Norbert's _arm_. + + Leonie (_meeting the brothers_). + +What a touching spectacle! Look, Norbert! + + Baron Ludwig. + +Don't detain us, Leonie. We're going to have our photograph taken. (_He +and_ Richard _go out_.) + + Leonie (_advancing toward the front_). + +How enchanting! And Beata as the angel of peace! Quite a new rôle for +you, isn't it, dear? But you're _so_ versatile! + + Beata. + +Dear Leonie, find fault with me when I sow discord, but praise me when +I make peace. + + Leonie. + +Do you care so much for praise? + + Beata. + +Don't you? + + Leonie. + +Oh, no one ever praises me. I suppose I don't know how to play my +cards. Norbert, please have the carriage called. + + Norbert. + +Very well, mother. (_Goes out_.) + + Leonie. + +Ah, Prince--good-evening! (_He kisses her hand_.) How is it we never +see you at our missionary meetings? Her Royal Highness wished me to say +that she counts on your help. Isn't that flattering? (_To the others_.) +The Prince is one of us, you know. He serves the cause of religion +faithfully---- + + Prince. + +And in poverty of spirit. That's my special merit, you know, Baroness. + + Brachtmann (_aside to the_ Prince). + +You reprobate! + + Leonie. + +But pray don't let me disturb you, for I must really be off. My +carriage is waiting, and my coachman is so cross. We're all the +slaves of our carriages. (_To_ Kellinghausen.) It has been so +delightful--dear Beata is such a wonderful hostess. Our great +stateswoman knows so well how to keep her party in hand. Willingly or +unwillingly, she makes them all come into line; don't you, Beata, dear? + + Beata. + +I'm afraid you are among the unwilling to-night, Leonie. + + Leonie. + +Oh, I'm not as adaptable as some of your friends. + + Brachtmann (_aside to the_ Prince). + +Do you hear those amenities? + + Prince (_to_ Brachtmann). + +The Baroness is dispensing Christian charity sprinkled with arsenic. +Let's efface ourselves. (_They move quietly into the background_.) + + Leonie. + +(_To_ Kellinghausen, _with whom she has been talking_.) No, no, my dear +Count you mustn't think of it. Norbert will put me in my carriage. And +meanwhile, I want to have a little chat with dear Beata. We always have +so many things to say to each other. + + Kellinghausen (_kissing her hand_). + +At your orders, my dear friend. I'll draw the curtain to protect your +_tęte-ŕ-tęte_. (_He draws the curtain between the columns and goes +out_.) + + Leonie. + +How wonderfully well you look to-night, Beata! Not in the least like a +prospective grandmother. + + Beata. + +Why, as to that, Leonie, it looks as though you and I were to be made +grandmothers on the same day. + + Leonie. + +Ah, really? Well, Ellen is a delightful child. Where is she, by the +way? You don't seem to care to let her be seen in your neighbourhood on +such occasions. + + Beata. + +Seen? In my neighbourhood? You have an odd way of putting things. But I +believe you had something to say to me. + + Leonie. + +I know I oughtn't to keep you from your other guests, but it's such a +pleasure to have you to myself. I wonder what has become of Norbert?--I +must say, Beata, I can't help admiring your self-possession. I don't +see how you can be so unconcerned. + + Beata. + +What should I be concerned about? + + Leonie. + +Why, you don't mean--? I should almost think you-- But I don't know how +to express myself. It's so very painful.--There are such dreadful +people in the world. + + Beata. + +Are there? + + Leonie. + +This former secretary of Richard's, for instance, who has made such a +shocking speech against him. You've received a copy, of course? + + Beata. + +Not that I know of. + + Leonie (_drawing a paper from her pocket_). + +Ah--I brought mine with me. Perhaps it might interest you. + + Beata. + +Not in the least, my dear. + + Leonie. + +You are mentioned in it, too. + + Beata (_smiling_). + +Really? + + Leonie. + +Only between the lines, of course. + + Beata. + +Between the lines? What do you mean? + + Leonie. + +This is the paragraph; the one marked with a blue pencil. Don't be +horrified. It will make you laugh, of course. I laughed over it myself. +(Beata _takes the paper, looking firmly at_ Leonie _as she does so. She +reads the paper, throws it aside, and looks at_ Leonie _again, without +speaking_.) Good heavens, how pale you are! I didn't realise-- Shall I +get you a glass of water? + + Beata. + +No, thanks. (_Controlling herself with an effort_.) Does Richard know +of this? + + Leonie. + +Oh, yes. Doesn't Michael? + + Beata. + +Certainly not.--He would have-- Will you let me have this paper? + + Leonie. + +To show Michael? + + Beata. + +Naturally. In a matter involving his honour---- + + Leonie. + +You don't mean to make a scandal? + + Beata. + +What do you call a scandal? Haven't you made one in bringing me this? + + Leonie. + +I mean that your husband might---- + + Beata. + +My husband will do as he sees fit. + + Leonie. + +You are very sure of yourself. + + Beata. + +My dear Leonie, remember that you are in my house. + + Leonie. + +My dear Beata, we are always in each other's houses; we can't meet at +the street corners, like servants. + + Beata. + +You are right. Say what you were going to say. + + Leonie. + +Oh, I have held my tongue so long! + + Beata. + +Why have you, if you had anything to say? + + Leonie. + +Listen, Beata. I am not going to discuss the relations between my +husband and yourself. It's a subject that no longer interests me. But +it was you who took him away from me, and when I found you had taken +him, I turned to my boy instead. Then you took him too. Now I have +nothing left--nothing but my position in society, which I have built up +slowly, year by year, by my own efforts, as you know. I am in the +Princess Agnes's most intimate set, I am patroness of--but all this +doesn't interest you. But how have I accomplished it? Simply by +keeping my eyes shut and appearing to sanction your friendship with +Richard.--And now, if you persist in dragging your husband in, there +will be a scandal, and I shall have to sue for a divorce; and that will +be excessively unpleasant for us all. Don't you agree with me? + + Beata. + +I might say so many things in reply.--In the first place, whatever I +have taken was never really yours.--But no matter. I will only ask you +one thing: have you thought of Ellen and Norbert? + + Leonie. + +Oh, Ellen and Norbert! I've no objection to the match, none +whatever--but it's _your_ scheme, not mine, and you can't expect me to +be particularly enthusiastic about it. But I should think it would be +one more reason for _you_ to keep quiet. + + Beata. + +Then--if you don't mean to do anything--why did you bring me this? + + Leonie (_with irrepressible triumph_). + +Why did I bring it? Because I--(_relapses into her usual +amiability_)--I thought it might interest you, and you see I was not +mistaken. Ah, here comes Norbert! + + _Enter_ Norbert. + + Norbert. + +I'm sorry to have kept you, mother. The carriage was-- (_Startled_.) +Why, Aunt Beata, what's the matter? + + Beata (_making an effort to smile_). + +Nothing, Norbert, dear. + + Leonie. + +Well, good-bye, Beata. Do be careful of yourself! I should be so sorry +to think I had done anything to excite you. Come, Norbert, you must put +me in the carriage, and then you can come back to your dear aunt. + + Norbert. + +I beg your pardon, mother, but I think Aunt Beata needs me now. If +you'll wait for me a moment downstairs---- + + Leonie. + +What did I say? I congratulate you, Beata! (_She goes out alone_.) + + Norbert. + +What has she been saying to you? + + Beata. + +Oh, she was right--so right! + + Norbert (_alarmed_). + +Aunt Beata! + + Beata (_with an effort_). + +Norbert--my son--take me to Ellen. In a few minutes I shall be +quite---- + + Norbert. + +Come, come-- (_Leads her gently out. Sounds of talk and laughter come +from the inner room_.) + + _Enter_ Kellinghausen. + + Kellinghausen. + +(_Putting his head through the curtains_.) Ha! No one there? Have our +wives made way with each other? (_To_ Richard, _who has followed him_.) +They're not so deuced fond of one another. I say, old man, just now, +when I was talking about the elections, why did you all put on that air +of statesmanlike reserve? Did I say anything out of the way? + + Richard. + +What an absurd idea! + + Kellinghausen. + +One is always liable to make an ass of one's self. I'm not conscious of +having blundered, but--oh, well, I sha'n't get anything out of you. +(_Raising the curtain and calling out_--) Brachtmann--Usingen--come +here a moment. + + Richard. + +Michael, if you take my advice we'll drop the election for the present. +I give you my word that if anything occurs that reflects on you---- + + Kellinghausen. + +On me? Reflects on me? What on earth do you mean? I'm thinking of the +party. Our business is to look out for the party. + + _Enter_ Brachtmann _and the_ Prince, _followed a moment or two later + by_ Norbert. + + Brachtmann. + +Hear, hear! But what are you talking about? + + Kellinghausen (_to_ Norbert). + +Aha, young man, where have you come from? Tea in the school-room, eh? + + Norbert. + +Aunt Beata was not very well, Uncle Michael. (Richard _starts_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +Ah? + + Norbert. + +She is feeling better now. She will be here in a few minutes. + + Kellinghausen. + +That's good--that's good. By the way, Master Norbert, we're going to +put you through your paces. How about this so-called "Ordeal," eh? Do +you own up to it? + + Norbert. + +I'm proud to, Uncle. At least, no--not so very proud; for I've found +out lately that it's all been said before, a thousand times better than +I've said it. + + Brachtmann. + +And also by a member of the Conservative party? + + Norbert. + +Well--no--not exactly. + + Brachtmann. + +Ah--but that's the point. + + Norbert. + +I beg your pardon, Herr von Brachtmann, I thought truth was truth, no +matter who uttered it. + + Prince. + +What is truth? said Pilate. + + Norbert. + +And washed his hands. We also wash our hands of many things, your +Highness. I have even heard it said that the use of soap and water is +the only thing that distinguishes us from the masses. But no matter how +much washing we do, we can't wash off the blood we have shed in the +abuse of our class-privileges. + + Prince (_to_ Richard). + +Very neatly parried. He has a good wrist. + + Richard. + +My dear Norbert, will you give your venerable parent a hearing? We have +left far behind us many of what you call our "class-privileges"; but +their traditional spirit still survives. And that spirit, whether the +modern world condemns it, or the middle-classes make it ridiculous by +aping it--that spirit is the safeguard of our order. Believe me, +Norbert, we must stand or fall by it. + + Norbert. + +Then we must fall, father. + + Richard. + +Possibly--even probably. But meanwhile the one distinction we have left +is the right to dispose of our lives. When a nobleman of the Italian +Renaissance, or a young blade of the court of Louis XIII., crossed the +threshold of his house, he was never sure of re-entering it alive. That +was what gave him his audacity, his splendid indifference to danger. +Today we no longer stake our lives so lightly; but the fact that they +are ours to stake still gives its keenest edge to living. + + The Others. + +Hear! Hear! + + Norbert. + +My dear father, you have given us an admirable explanation of the +personal view of death. But life is not a personal matter at all. You +have said so often enough. Our lives belong to the ideals for which we +fight, they belong to the state or to the race---- + + Kellinghausen. + +And how about our personal sense of honour? What of that, Norbert? Are +we to be forbidden to defend with our lives the few things we hold +sacred on earth? May we no longer fall upon the scoundrel who assails +them? You will hardly convince us of that, Norbert. + + Richard. + +Then again, Norbert, there may be cases--you are too young to have +foreseen them, but they exist--where an honourable man may have done +irreparable injury to another's honour. If he admits his guilt, and +satisfaction is demanded of him, what is he to do? Is he to run away, +or to shelter himself behind the law? The law, which was made to +protect the honour of serfs! Should you expect that of him, Norbert? + + Norbert. + +If your man of honour admits his guilt, and is ready to pay the +penalty, let him be his own judge. + + Richard. + +H'm---- + + Norbert. + +But I beg your pardon, father; that is hardly the point. It was all +very well for the aristocracy to make its own laws when it had +the power to enforce them; but what is to become of its precious +"class-privileges" when the modern world laughs at them and the mob +refuses to recognise them? When that day comes, I don't see what we can +do but take shelter behind the law. + + Kellinghausen. + +I don't understand you, Norbert. Give us an instance. + + Norbert. + +Nothing easier, Uncle Michael. What do you propose to do with the +scoundrel who has been insulting you in his electioneering speeches? +(_There is a startled movement among his listeners_.) You don't mean to +challenge _him_, I suppose? + + Kellinghausen. + +What do you----? + + Norbert. + +Unless you treat the whole matter with silent contempt and I fancy +you'll hardly do that it seems to me that a libel suit is the only +alternative. + + Kellinghausen. + +Norbert--are you dreaming--or---- + + Norbert. + +Why--Uncle Michael--didn't you know? + + Prince. + +_Now_ you've done it, young man! + + Kellinghausen. + +Do any of you know what he's driving at? + + Brachtmann. + +Yes. + + Kellinghausen. + +Richard, what does this mean? What is going on behind my back? You call +yourself my friend--why have you kept me in the dark? + + Richard (_very quietly_). + +In the first place, dear Michael, we only heard of the business an hour +or two ago; in the second place (_as he speaks_, Beata _enters from +behind_), I am mixed up in it myself. + + Kellinghausen. + +You? In a slander that concerns me? (Richard _nods without speaking_.) +Then there was all the more reason---- + + Brachtmann. + +My dear Kellinghausen, the fault is mine. For the sake of the party, I +asked Völkerlingk not to-- + + Prince (_suddenly noticing_ Beata). + +H'm. Perhaps we had better-- (_he advances toward_ Beata). My dear +Countess---- + + Beata _enters quietly_. + + Beata. + +Don't be afraid. I know what you are speaking of. I know all about it. +Michael, if these gentlemen would allow us to talk the matter over by +ourselves---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Thank you, my dear. But I think you had better keep out of it. +Richard--Brachtmann--if you'll come to my study---- (_They both +assent_.) + + Richard (_approaching_ Beata). + +I will say good-night, Countess. + + Beata. + +Good-night, my dear Völkerlingk. (_Rapidly, in a low voice, as he bends +above her hand_.) Does he know? + + Richard (_in the same tone_). + +Not yet. + + Beata (_aloud, with conventional cordiality_). + +I shall see you to-morrow? (Richard _bows, and follows the other men +toward the door_.) + + + Curtain. + + + + + ACT III + + + + + ACT III + + +_The same scene: in the afternoon_. Holtzmann _is waiting. Enter_ +Kellinghausen _in hat and fur-lined coat_. + + Kellinghausen. + +Ah, Holtzmann--this is very good of you. I'm extremely obliged to you +for coming. (_Shakes hands with him_.) Sorry to have kept you waiting. +(_Takes off his hat and coat_.) Sit down--sit down.--That is,--perhaps +we'd better-- Oh, well, my wife's not likely to come in just now.--A +cigarette? + + Holtzmann. + +Thanks. I don't smoke. + + Kellinghausen (_lighting a cigarette_). + +You remember Meixner the fellow who gave us such a lot of trouble +during the elections? I believe you and he have crossed swords once or +twice in public; and didn't you tell me that you knew him personally? +When was it that you ran across him? + + Holtzmann. + +There was only one inn in the village, and his room and mine were on +the same landing. The meeting was over at eleven, and I went to bed +soon after. About midnight in walks Meixner, as cool as you please, and +sits down on my bed. "We haven't finished that argument yet. Let's have +it out now," he said. And there he sat till six in the morning. + + Kellinghausen. + +(_Takes a copy of the_ "_Lengenfeld News_" _out of his pocket and +glances at it_.) Did that happen before or after the twelfth of +January? + + Holtzmann. + +It happened before he made that speech. + + Kellinghausen (_startled_). + +What? You knew----? + + Holtzmann. + +Why--naturally. + + Kellinghausen. + +Herr Holtzmann, we were in the train together for hours. We drove +together for miles. I have always treated you as a friend. Why did you +never speak of this? (Holtzmann _remains silent_.) Let me tell you one +thing: you can't put me off with a shrug. If you think you can, you +don't know me. + + Holtzmann. + +I beg your pardon, Count Kellinghausen--but I must remind you that I am +not in your service. + + Kellinghausen. + +My dear Herr Holtzmann, you are known as one of the most zealous +supporters of our party. Probably you attach some importance to that +fact. Your silence in this matter surprises me, and I shall not fail to +draw my own conclusions. + + Holtzmann (_rising_). + +You must draw what conclusions you please, sir. Personally I have +nothing to gain by serving your party. I might have a living at any +moment, and if I have preferred, for the present, to devote myself to +politics, it was only because I thought I could be of use to the cause. + + Kellinghausen (_after a pause_). + +I have offended you. You must make allowances for my excitement--this +business has unnerved me. (_Holds out his hand_.) Sit down again and +let me ask you a question. Has this Meixner any recognised standing in +his party, or is he merely a hanger-on? + + Holtzmann. + +He must have a certain standing, since he is their candidate for the +next election. + + Kellinghausen. + +Ha! ha! A nice lot they are! Well, the gentleman has given us his +measure by sending copies of this paper to the wives of the men he +attacks. + + Holtzmann. + +If he has done that, sir, can you guess his reasons? + + Kellinghausen. + +No. Can you? + + Holtzmann. + +Perhaps---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Well----? + + Holtzmann. + +I'm sorry, sir--but I can't say anything more just now. + + Kellinghausen (_rising_). + +Good-day, then, Herr Holtzmann. + + Holtzmann. + +My respects to you, sir. (_Goes out_.) + + Kellinghausen (_giving way to his rage_). + +Hounds! Brigands! Damn them! All tarred with the same brush---- + + Beata _enters_. + + Beata (_quietly_). + +Flying into a passion won't mend matters, Michael. + + Kellinghausen. + +And I can't make you out, either. Here they are, throwing mud +at us--calling you I won't say what--and you stand there +like--like--Haven't you got any blood in your veins? Don't you realise +what it all means? + + Beata. + +I haven't much strength to spare, and I have to economise my emotions. + + Kellinghausen. + +Good God--how white you are! Don't mind me--I'll pull myself together. +We won't talk of the damned thing any more. + + Beata. + +It will be the first time in twenty years that we haven't talked over +what you had on your mind. + + Kellinghausen. + +I wish to heaven I'd never told you of it. The devil take Leonie! She +can't hold her cursed meddling tongue; Richard ought to muzzle her. By +the way, it's strange he hasn't shown himself to-day. + + Beata. + +I have had a note from him. He asked me to tell you that he is deep in +his speech. He is coming as soon as he has a moment to spare. + + Kellinghausen. + +There you are again! Just when the man needs a clear head for the great +work that's before him, he finds himself involved in this filthy-- Ah, +well, I'll have the dogs by the throat yet! I'll have them howling for +mercy! + + Beata. + +Do calm yourself, Michael. Look--your face is all on fire. You know +it's bad for you to excite yourself. + + Kellinghausen. + +There, there--I'm quiet again. Don't I always do what you tell me? Ah, +if I hadn't had _you_ all these years, the Lord knows what would have +become of me! + + Beata. + +Then, on the whole, I've been--satisfactory? + + Kellinghausen (_laughing_). + +That sounds as if you were asking for a reference. + + Beata. + +Perhaps I am. I want to have one to show in case of need. + + Kellinghausen. + +And when do you expect to need it? + + Beata. + +Who knows? + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Conrad (_announcing_). + +Baron Brachtmann. + + Kellinghausen (_to_ Beata). + +Do you wish to see him? + + Beata. + +Yes. + + _Enter_ Brachtmann. Conrad _goes out_. + + Brachtmann. + +(_Bows to_ Kellinghausen _and kisses_ Beata's _hand_.) I am sorry we +were not on our guard yesterday, Countess. Even if you had to know of +this stupid business, you needn't have heard of it till it had blown +over. + + Beata. + +Don't reproach yourself, Baron. I should have been sorry to miss such a +chance of enlarging my knowledge of human nature. + + Brachtmann. + +Well, at all events, I beg of you both not to take it too seriously. +And as for you, my dear Kellinghausen, I say again as I've said before: +for God's sake, keep out of the courts. + + Kellinghausen. + +Ah----? + + Brachtmann. + +Why, my dear man, haven't I been accused of arson and forgery? Haven't +I been charged with bribing my constituents to perjure themselves--not +to speak of my dodging my taxes, and other sleight-of-hand +performances? That's merely the political way of poking fun. + + Kellinghausen. + +H'm--your digestion must be stronger than mine. But those charges +concerned no one but yourself; if I stood alone in this business, I +might see the humour of it. But let them beware how they attack my +family! Besides, I've taken steps already---- + + Brachtmann. + +What have you done? + + Kellinghausen. + +I got hold of my counsel this morning. He has made out a retraction +which the scoundrel is to sign. If he won't sign it, we'll take other +means. He is to be at my lawyer's at three o'clock. + + Beata (_starting up_). + +What? To-day? + + Kellinghausen. + +To-day. The sooner the better. By the way, what time is it? I must be +on hand myself. Brachtmann, will you come with me? + + Brachtmann. + +I was going to propose it. (_While_ Kellinghausen _puts on his coat, he +turns to_ Beata.) If you have any influence over him, for heaven's +sake---- + + Beata (_in a low voice_). + +I can do nothing. + + Kellinghausen. + +Well, dear, good-bye. If Richard turns up, be sure you make him wait. I +shall be back in an hour. (Kellinghausen _and_ Brachtmann _go out_.) + + Beata. + +(_Closing her eyes, with a miserable smile_.) In an hour! + + _Enter_ Ellen. + + Ellen (_in the doorway_). + +Mother! + + Beata. + +Come in, dear child. + + Ellen (_kneeling down beside her_). + +Mother, mother dear, what has happened? What is it? Papa is so excited +and talks to himself so strangely--and you--oh, mother! + + Beata (_smiling_). + +Well what have I done? + + Ellen. + +If I tell you, you won't--won't stay away? You'll come and lean over my +bed every night--just as you've always done? + + Beata (_surprised_). + +Then you're awake--when I come? + + Ellen. + +Always, always. I never go to sleep till I've heard you. + + Beata. + +Dearest! And yet you never stirred! + + Ellen. + +Oh, I prided myself on that! But last night it was so hard to keep +quiet. I could feel your tears on my face--oh, how you were crying! And +I did so want to cry with you. But I held my breath and lay as still as +I could.--Mother, what has happened? Won't you tell me? I'm not a child +any longer. + + Beata. + +Listen, dear. I want to ask you a question. Is there any one in the +world--besides your father and me--that you're very fond of? + + Ellen (_softly_). + +You know, mother. I don't have to tell you things---- + + Beata. + +Some one you're so fond of that you could live for him--or even die for +him? + + Ellen. + +There's nothing in the world I wouldn't do for him! + + Beata. + +(_Softly stroking her hair and cheeks_.) H'm---- + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Conrad (_announcing_). + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + + Beata (_to Ellen_). + +Go, dear. That is all I wanted to know. + + Ellen. + +Mother! (_Goes out_.) + + _Enter_ Dr. Kahlenberg. Conrad _goes out_. + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + +You sent for me, Countess? Nothing wrong, I hope? + + Beata. + +Why, this is your hour for consultations, isn't it? + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + +Oh, there was no one there but two or three whining women. The kind +that can be cured by the atmosphere of a fashionable doctor's +waiting-room; so I'm letting them wait. + + Beata. + +(_Listening, as though to make sure that they are alone_.) I sha'n't +keep you long. Doctor you know how often I have said to you: "My dear +friend, I've got to live--I've simply got to live; show me how--" and +how you've always answered: "The only way is to avoid excitement." +Well--I've borne that in mind--I've schooled myself to look at life +through a tombstone, as it were--my own tombstone, doctor! I've done +that. But now--now there are storms ahead, perhaps disasters. If they +come, my judgment and energy are equal to them--but my valves are not. +I found that out last night--it was only those drops of yours that +saved me. But I can't live on those drops--you've warned me not to take +them too often. And I don't want to die of this. Doctor, you must help +me! + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + +Why, what's the meaning of all this? H'm. You're right. Strophanthus +and digitalis are not meant for human nature's daily food. Besides, the +effect might wear off.--My dear Countess, take your courage in both +hands and run away. Turn your back on all these emotions. Human life is +simply a process of molecular adjustment complicated by moral +idiosyncrasies. + + Beata (_laughing_). + +I'm so glad to know it, doctor. (_Growing serious_.) But there is no +time to run away. The storm may break in an hour. + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + +Child, what has happened? Ah, well, I never ask questions.--In an +hour?--I am going home to despatch my whining women, and then I'll drop +in again and see what has happened in the interval. + + Beata. + +And if to-day is only the prelude? + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + +So much the better. Then we shall have time to look the thing in the +face. Meanwhile I'll give you something new to take--something that +your system hasn't got used to. We physicians have a supply of such +remedies to tide us over bad places. + + Beata. + +Thank you. + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + +Give me both hands, Countess. You and I know death too well to be much +afraid of it. But if you want to live I'll do my best to help you. And +now I'll go and assure my other patients that they're really ill. +Good-bye. (_He goes out. In the hall he is heard greeting_ Norbert.) + + _Enter_ Norbert. + + Norbert. + +Aunt Beata, I'm so glad to see you looking so well. I was almost +afraid---- + + Beata. + +It always cheers me to see you, Norbert. And to-day especially---- + + Norbert. + +To-day? + + Beata. + +'Sh--to-day is a lucky day. + + Norbert. + +Lucky? In what way? + + Beata. + +Wait and see! Wait and see! + + Norbert. + +I say, Aunt Beata, you're not making fun of me? I don't half like the +way you're smiling to yourself. + + Beata. + +Well, you must make the best of it, dear boy! + + Norbert. + +Aunt Beata--you're _not_ the same since yesterday. I knew it all along. +What a beastly business life is! You--you--of all women!--that they +should dare attack you! The scoundrels--the miserable sneaking +scoundrels! + + Beata. + +Norbert, dear, you must see that this is a matter we can't discuss. +Besides, I have something else to talk to you about. Can you tell me +what time it is? + + Norbert. + +Half-past four. + + Beata. + +Will you ring for the lamps, please? Ring twice. (Norbert _rings_.) I +have only a few minutes to spare, but it won't take long to-- (Conrad +_brings in two lamps, and draws the curtains_) to tell you what +I-- (_She hesitates, constrained by_ Conrad's _presence_.) This is Miss +Mansborough's afternoon. She has probably gone out. (Conrad _leaves the +room_.) You will find Ellen alone in her sitting-room--go and look for +her--and when you find her, put your arms about her, and say to her, +"I love you, and I shall always love you, in this world and the +next"--provided there is any next! + + Norbert. + +Aunt Beata! (_Falls on his knees before her and hides his face in her +lap_.) + + Beata (_struggling with her tears_). + +And then sit down in the twilight, you and Ellen, quietly, side by +side, and talk of all the happiness that is coming to you and of all +the good you mean to do. Let it be your hour of consecration. And I +shall be with you all the while--feeling your happiness, thinking your +thoughts--all through this next hour of my life.--Now go, Norbert. I +hear some one coming--it must be your father. I will tell him--go, +dear, go. + + Norbert. + +Aunt Beata! (_Kisses her hand_.) + + Beata. + +Your hour of consecration remember that, Norbert. (Norbert _goes out_.) + + _Enter_ Richard. + + Richard. + +What has happened? You look radiant. + + Beata. + +(_Taking his hand and holding it fast_.) I have settled the future of +our children. No matter what happens to us-- Why, Richard, aren't you +the least bit pleased?--Oh, how ill you look! + + Richard. + +What sort of a night did you have, Beata? + + Beata. + +Not so bad.--And how goes the speech? Are you in sight of land? + + Richard. + +Beata--I don't know if I shall be able to speak to-morrow. + + Beata (_alarmed_). + +But you must. You must. They all count on you. Dear, you _must_. Is it +because of that wretched business last night? + + Richard. + +Partly, I suppose. This new danger has stirred up the whole past. + + Beata. + +And your conscience is bothering you again? + + Richard. + +You call it conscience, Beata; I call it consistency. How dare I speak +on this bill, how dare I take such a stand before God and man, when my +whole life gives me the lie?--Good God!--To stand up and talk about the +sanctity of marriage--about the family life as the main support of +society--to parade such an argument before the cynics of the +Opposition, when with my own hands I have helped to tear down that very +support--no, no, I can't justify myself without adopting their own +cynical and materialistic creed. And not even then; for what I call God +they call social expediency; and this new idol of theirs is more +exacting than the Jehovah of the old dispensation. As to acknowledging +that words are one thing and actions another--that the man in me is not +accountable to the statesman--well, I haven't sunk as low as that--what +I give I must give without an afterthought.--And so all my ideas +crumble into dust, all my reasoning ends in contradiction--and I find +myself powerless to plead the very cause I have at heart! + + Beata. + +But why, dearest, why? + + Richard. + +Forgive me. I am so tired; my mind is a blank. First that dreadful +scene last night, when a moment's hesitation would have ruined us both. +Then my long night at my desk--the superhuman effort of collecting my +thoughts after all I'd been through. But as I worked, my subject took +such hold of me that I've only just waked up to the question--how on +earth is it all to end? (Beata _is silent_.) Oh, Beata, the truth, the +truth! Oh, to be at one with one's self! To have the right to +stand up openly for one's convictions! I would give everything for +it--happiness, life itself, everything! + + Beata. + +And yet you love life. + + Richard. + +I? No--not now. Now that our falsehood is closing in on us, death would +be--but don't be frightened; I shall do nothing foolish. There are two +of us, and we must hold together. I am so used to sharing every thought +with you.--What has happened since yesterday? I suppose Michael has +given up the absurd idea of prosecuting the man. + + Beata. + +On the contrary. + + Richard. + +What? + + Beata. + +At this moment he has probably found out whatever your former secretary +knows about us. + + Richard. + +What on earth do you mean? + + Beata. + +I haven't interrupted you, dear, because speaking seemed to clear your +thoughts. But I haven't attempted to answer you, because every minute +is precious. + + Richard. + +Hasn't Brachtmann been here? + + Beata. + +Brachtmann came too late. + + Richard. + +Then----? + + Beata. + +Even if he had come sooner he could not have prevented anything. +Dearest, Michael may come back at any moment, and when he comes we must +be ready---- + + Richard. + +Don't go on, Beata. Let us suppose the worst: say that Meixner has +unearthed a few suspicious circumstances--what use can he make of them? +He can't produce any proofs. + + Beata. + +Who knows? + + Richard. + +Where are they to come from? The few letters we exchanged were burnt +long ago. Copies are not admitted as evidence. He will not be allowed +to testify on oath. We have only to keep ourselves in hand as well as +we did yesterday, and the whole story will fall to the ground. + + Beata. + +And Michael? + + Richard. + +Michael? + + Beata. + +Suppose he questions you? + + Richard. + +There can be but one answer, I think. + + Beata. + +In our class there is something we call a "word of honour." If he asks +you for _that_--? You don't answer. + + Richard (_confused, breathing heavily_). + +We haven't reached that point yet, Beata--and if he does--why, we two +are chained together by our past, we are answerable to no one but +ourselves. That is all there is left to us. + + Beata. + +Is that your answer? You, who tell me you have wrestled with yourself +all night because--Richard, I don't believe you! + + Richard. + +Believe me or not, but be sure that, whatever happens, no suspicion +shall fall on you--on either of us. And now I beg of you--let me see +Michael alone. + + Beata (_smiling_). + +Alone? + + Richard. + +I---- + + Beata (_still smiling_). + +Hush! Do you hear his latch-key? + + Richard. + +Beata, I implore you. You are not fit to bear what is coming! If you +value your life, go---- + + Beata. + +I value yours, and therefore I shall stay. + + _Enter_ Kellinghausen. + + Kellinghausen (_very gravely_). + +Good-afternoon, Richard. (_Shakes hands with him_.) + + Richard. + +Good-afternoon, Michael. + + Kellinghausen (_to_ Beata). + +Has any one been here? + + Beata. + +Norbert--and Dr. Kahlenberg. No one else. + + Kellinghausen. + +Kahlenberg? At this hour? Is any one ill? + + Beata. + +No. He merely came to see me. Shall I give you some tea? + + Kellinghausen. + +Thanks, no. Richard, you don't want any either? Then, if you'll come +into my study---- + + Richard. + +With pleasure. + + Beata. + +Michael, I don't understand you. You have never shut me out from your +counsels. Hitherto, if I have taken part in your discussions, it was +because you wished me to; to-day I have a right to be here. + + Kellinghausen. + +My dear child, don't you always have your way? If Richard doesn't +object---- + + Richard. + +Whatever you wish---- + + Beata. + +But first I want to give you a piece of good news. Norbert and Ellen +are engaged. + + Kellinghausen (_his face lighting up_). + +Ha? What? Those two children? I saw it coming, bless their hearts!--but +I'd no notion--where are they, Beata? (_Goes to door, left_.) + + Richard (_in a low tone, to_ Beata). + +He knows nothing. + + Beata (_with an effort_). + +Michael--never mind--don't speak to them now! To-morrow Norbert +will---- (_She breathes painfully_. Richard _makes a startled +movement_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +What is it? Are you ill? + + Beata. + +No--no, it's nothing. But happiness reverberates so! Norbert is coming +back to-morrow. He wishes to tell his mother first. + + Kellinghausen. + +Ah, that's thoughtful of him. I had forgotten about his mother. Well, +shake hands, old man. Confound it--I'm ashamed to look you in the face +with this cursed thing hanging over us. And to think how happy we three +might be--oh, that hound, that vile infamous hound! + + Richard. + +Tell me what happened, Michael. + + Kellinghausen. + +There isn't much to tell. My lawyer had a talk with him. He says his +only object is to bring out the facts. + + Richard (_after a short pause_). + +Well--let him bring them out. + + Kellinghausen. + +Let him? You should have heard Brachtmann. The man was beside himself. +He began with the old story of the Frenchman who said that if he were +accused of stealing the towers of Notre Dame he would take the first +train for the frontier. "No matter how blameless you all are, the lie +will stick to you," he said. "It will stick to you and to your children +and to your party." I had to give him my word of honour that, whatever +happens, I will do nothing to bring scandal on the party. + + Richard. + +But you haven't stuck to your resolve? + + Kellinghausen. + +How could I? We can't wring the scoundrel's neck without landing +ourselves in prison. Norbert was right yesterday. In such cases we have +no refuge left but the courts. There is more in that boy's ideas than I +was willing to admit at the time. Well--meanwhile I've agreed to think +the matter over for twenty-four hours. A mere formality, of course--and +yet not quite, after all. The fact is, I wanted to talk it out with +you. + + Richard. + +Very well. + + Kellinghausen. + +Beata--Richard--I don't need to be told that there's nothing wrong in +this house--nothing wrong between you two, to put it plainly. I can see +that for myself. But in such a dirty business the most harmless fact +may be used against you; and you won't misunderstand me if I ask +you--both-- You see, you two have always been in such close sympathy--I +don't say that to reproach you--God forbid! It was natural +enough--you're both so much cleverer than I am--but I ask you, for all +our sakes, to look back and try to remember if you've ever written each +other any letters that might--might seem--to an outsider--a little +too friendly? Good heavens! _I_ should understand it if you had! +Or--or--have you ever written anything about _me_? Anything that +might--? There are plenty of things to criticise about me. But I must +know the truth. There must not be the least pretext for this attack. I +ask you to stop and consider. + + Richard. + +There is nothing to consider, my dear Michael. + + Kellinghausen. + +Not so fast, my dear fellow! Take time. Think the matter over. + + Richard. + +There is nothing to think over. + + Kellinghausen. + +Beata----? + + Beata. + +My answer is the same as Richard's, of course. + + Kellinghausen. + +Richard, our fate is in your hands. Do you advise me to bring suit? + + Richard. + +Oh--if you ask my advice---- + + Kellinghausen. + +I don't ask your advice but your assurance. I have pledged myself not +to endanger the party. Give me your word of honour that I can bring +suit without doing so. + + Richard (_straightening himself_). + +I give you my word of honour that--you---- (Beata _gives a suppressed +cry_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +What is the matter? What ails you? + + Beata (_looking at_ Richard). + +He will give you his word of honour, and then he will go home and blow +his brains out. Don't you see it in his face? + + Kellinghausen. + +What do you mean? + + Richard. + +Kellinghausen, ask your wife to leave the room, and I will---- + + Beata. + +Richard, for fifteen years we have shared all our joys and sorrows. We +must share this too. + + Kellinghausen. + +(_Half strangled, tearing his collar open, and then throwing himself +on_ Richard.) You--you--you! + + Richard (_seizing both his hands_). + +Michael, take care! This must be between ourselves. Remember that. + + Kellinghausen. + +Yes--yes--yes; I pledged my word--I remember--I--oh, you--you---- (_He +sinks down in a chair near the table, and hides his face with tearless +sobs_.) + + Beata (_approaching him after a pause_). + +Dear Michael, Richard and I conquered our feelings long ago. That is +why we are so calm now. What happened between us happened years ago, +and we are ready to pay the cost, whatever it is. + + Kellinghausen. + +Oh, as far as he's concerned, it's simple enough. He and I can soon +settle our account. + + Richard. + +Yes. + + Kellinghausen. + +But you--you--how can you justify yourself? How have you reconciled it +to your conscience to live beside me half a lifetime with this thing +between us? Why didn't you come and ask me to set you free? + + Beata. + +Yes--that was what _he_ wanted--he has such a sense of honour! And to +this day he has never understood why I wouldn't. I loved him too well +to ruin his life--that's all. Even if he could have got a divorce and +married me, such a marriage would have been his ruin. I should simply +have finished the work that Leonie had begun. But what I wanted was to +save him. And so all these years I have lied for him---- + + Kellinghausen. + +And what have you done for _me_? Or didn't I enter into your +calculations? + + Beata. + +Michael, you must see that we can't discuss that now. It would be +laughable if I were to try to explain to you---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Ha! Ha! Lies and deception! Wife--friend--everything! Everything! (_To_ +Richard.) Why do you stand there as if you were struck dumb? Why don't +_you_ try and whitewash yourself too? + + Richard. + +You said just now that our account was easy to settle. + + Beata. + +He sees things differently. I speak for myself. He looks at things as +you do. + + Kellinghausen. + +And yet---- + + Beata. + +Wait, please! I have one word more to say, I have staked everything and +lost--it's all over for us, all three of us. If I had spoken years ago, +the same thing would have happened. You told me just now that I had +made you happy. Well, that is what my lie has done. It has made you +happy for fifteen years. Blame me for it--but don't forget it---- + + Kellinghausen. + +And God--and retribution? Do you never think of such things? No +repentance--no remorse? Nothing? Nothing? + + Richard. + +Spare her, Michael. Let me answer for her. (Kellinghausen _advances +toward him with clenched fist_.) + + Beata. + +You have questioned _me_, Michael; let me question you. Must every +natural instinct end in remorse and repentance? Sin? I am not conscious +of sinning. I did the best that it was in me to do. I simply refused to +be crushed by your social laws. I asserted my right to live; my right +to self-preservation. Perhaps it was another way of suicide--that's no +matter. You know what my life has been--how I've had to buy it, hour by +hour and drop by drop, at the nearest chemist's--well, wretched as it +is, I've loved it too dearly to disown it now! Yes, I've loved it--I've +loved everything--everything around me--you too, Michael--ah, don't +laugh--yes, you too--even if I've--ah-- (_Her breath comes in long +gasps and she reels and clutches a chair, closing her eyes as she leans +against it. Then she opens them again_.) Which one of you will--help me +to the door? (Richard _makes a movement, and then draws back_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +Beata, from now on there will be no one to help you. + + Beata. + +Thank you. (_With an intense effort, she walks out of the room_.) + + Kellinghausen (_to_ Richard). + +And now----? + + Richard. + +Do what you like. Say what you like. Curse me--shoot me. I sha'n't +defend myself. + + Kellinghausen. + +You admit that one of us must die? + + Richard. + +No; I don't admit it; but I am at your orders. + + Kellinghausen. + +A duel between us is impossible---- + + Richard. + +Impossible---- + + Kellinghausen. + +I don't mean on account of the children. _That's_ all at an end. + + Richard. + +Why must it be at an end if one of us dies? But I am at your orders. + + Kellinghausen. + +I have pledged my word not to bring any scandal on the party. You are +under the same obligation. + + Richard. + +Yes. + + Kellinghausen. + +So that the only thing left---- + + Richard. + +Before you go any further, let me tell you that I decline to go through +the farce of an American duel. + + Kellinghausen. + +You decline--? Perhaps you want to sneak out of the whole business? + + Richard. + +You don't believe that! + + Kellinghausen. + +Well--what other way is there? + + Richard. + +I know a way--but---- (Norbert's _voice is heard outside, speaking +with_ Conrad.) + + Kellinghausen. + +(_With sudden decision, opening the door_.) Norbert! + + Richard (_following him_). + +For God's sake, Michael--do you want to disgrace my whole house? + + Kellinghausen (_opening the door_). + +You shall see.--Norbert! Come in, my boy--come! + + Norbert _enters_. + + Norbert. + +Uncle Michael, what is the matter with Aunt Beata? The doctor is with +her, and Ellen has been called---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Nothing serious. Don't be alarmed. (_Takes his hand_.) Norbert, your +father and I were just talking of last evening. You remember that +stupid business interrupted our talk, and we never heard the end of +your argument. Let us have it now. Sit down--sit down, Richard. (_They +all seat themselves_.) There was one phrase of yours that struck me. +You said--you said--that if---- + + Richard. + +You said that if a man of honour has injured another and is called on +to atone for it, he is the best judge of his own punishment. + + Norbert (_laughing_). + +Did I? Very likely--but my head is so full of other things just now +that I couldn't swear to it. + + Kellinghausen. + +That was not quite what I meant; but no matter. Suppose we take such a +case. If the injured person says: "One of us two must die"--what ought +the other to answer? + + Norbert. + +Why, Uncle Michael, I should say that depended on the nature of the +injury--doesn't it? + + Richard. + +Let us say, for the sake of argument, that the wrong is the gravest +that one man can do another; let us say he has seduced his friend's +wife. Has the husband a right to the other man's life? + + Norbert. + +Why, father--there can be but one answer to that. And if the other man +is a man of honour--though I don't see how he could be, do you?--he +would be more eager to give his life than the husband could possibly be +to take it. + + Richard. + +H'm. Perhaps you're right. Thank you, my boy. + + Norbert. + +Uncle Michael, at what time to-morrow may I see you? + + Kellinghausen. + +I'll send you word, Norbert. + + Norbert. + +Thanks. Don't make it too late, will you? Don't keep me waiting too +long. Good-bye. Good-bye, father. (_Goes out_.) + + Richard. + +Well--are you satisfied? + + Kellinghausen. + +You put the question in a way that suggests suicide. That was not---- + + Richard. + +It is your own choice. All I ask is two days' respite. You won't refuse +it? (Kellinghausen _shrugs his shoulders_.) Good-bye. (_Goes out_.) + + + Curtain. + + + + + ACT IV + + + + + ACT IV + + +_A study in the house of_ Richard Völkerlingk. _Doors on the right and +left, at the back. A fireplace in the middle background, the rest of +the wall hidden by book-cases, which frame the fireplace and doors. +In the foreground, to the left, a window. To the right of it, a +writing-table. In the centre a table covered with periodicals and +books. On the right a leather sofa and arm-chairs. Behind these a door. +Rich and sombre decorations, old pictures, armour, etc. A hanging-lamp +with a green shade, another lamp on a table, both lit. Through +the window one sees the twilight_. Holtzmann _is seated at the +centre-table, reading_. + + _Enter_ George. + + George. + +Herr Holtzmann, some one is asking for the Baron. + + Holtzmann. + +Why, you know the Baron is at the Reichstag. + + George. + +He says it's important that the Baron should see him. He wants to know +when he can call again. + + Holtzmann. + +Do you know who it is? + + George. + +Well--not exactly a gentleman. What shall I tell him? + + Holtzmann. + +The Baron speaks this afternoon. He will not leave till the House +rises. Tell the man to come back in an hour. (George _goes out_.) + + Norbert _enters_. + + Norbert (_greatly excited_). + +Herr Holtzmann--haven't you been at the Reichstag? (Holtzmann _shakes +his head without speaking_.) Then you haven't heard? My father has had +the most wonderful triumph--they say there has never been anything like +it. + + Holtzmann. + +Ah? + + Norbert. + +I wish I could give you an idea of it! Look at me--I'm shaking all +over! If you could have heard the way the words rushed out, the way the +thoughts trod on each other's heels! He began by sketching the +psychology of the modern man, and from that he developed a theory of +marriage, with its outward obligations and inner ideals--the marriage +of to-day in its highest, noblest sense--but you'll read what he said; +you'll see if I'm exaggerating. Then he went on to the practical +application of his theory. In this unsettled age, when parents are +losing their control over their children, and the state its hold over +the citizen, when even God and His priests see the soul of man slipping +away from them--at such a time we must do all we can to strengthen the +only tie that holds humanity together--the only tie that gives youth +the shelter of the family life till habit becomes duty, and duty the +law of being, and through obedience to that law a strong and enduring +national soul is created. Isn't that beautiful, Herr Holtzmann? Isn't +that a glorious idea? + + Holtzmann. + +Very fine, very fine. But doesn't such an argument lead back to the +standpoint of the Church, which---- + + Norbert. + +When marriage is a mockery, he said, the state may intervene and +dissolve it. That was all. Never in my life have I heard such a +scathing denunciation of infidelity! + + Holtzmann. + +Ah? Indeed? + + Norbert. + +There was such terrible menace in his words that I--oh, well, I can't +explain it--but I began to feel afraid--of I don't know what---- + + Holtzmann (_half to himself_). + +This will explain---- + + Norbert. + +Explain what? What do you mean? + + George _enters_. + + George (_urgently_). + +Herr Holtzmann! + + Holtzmann (_to_ Norbert). + +One moment, please. (_He goes up to_ George.) + + George (_in a whisper_). + +The man is here again, and asking to see you. He is waiting in the café +across the street. + + Holtzmann. + +Doesn't he give his name? + + George. + +Yes. Something like Meister or Meissner. + + Holtzmann (_startled, in a whisper_). + +Meixner? + + George. + +That's it. + + Holtzmann (_turning to_ Norbert). + +Will you excuse me? Some one has sent for me. + + Norbert. + +Don't let me keep you. (Holtzmann _and_ George _go out_. Norbert _goes +to the window, his hand shading his eyes, and gazes out eagerly_. +Richard _comes in quietly and lays his portfolio on the +writing-table_.) + + Norbert (_turning toward him_). + +Father! Father! (_He throws himself in_ Richard's _arms_. Richard +_thanks him with a smile_.) + + Norbert. + +Mother sends you her love and is sorry she can't be here to +congratulate you. She's in waiting on the Princess this evening. + + Richard. + +Ah? (_He moves about the room_.) + + Norbert. + +Oh, father, how happy you must be! How they cheered, how they fought to +get near you and shake your hand! Oh, if only I could have one such +hour in my life! + + Richard (_laying a hand on his shoulder_). + +If you do, my son, may you pay for it less dearly! + + Norbert. + +What do you mean? + + Richard. + +Listen, Norbert.--Have you heard anything of Aunt Beata? + + Norbert. + +I went there, but they told me she wouldn't see any one. + + Richard (_musingly_). + +H'm. + + Norbert. + +The fact is, I wanted to see Uncle Michael. + + Richard. + +(_Who has walked toward the window_.) Uncle Michael? That reminds me +that I wanted to tell you-- How the sunset shines on the house-tops +over there! Everything is in a glow--we shall have glorious winter +weather soon---- + + Norbert. + +You said you had something to tell me, father. + + Richard. + +Yes, yes; to be sure. But first, haven't you something to tell _me_? + + Norbert (_with an embarrassed smile_). + +Yes; but not to-day--when you're so---- + + Richard. + +The very day, dear boy! To-morrow I may but there's nothing to tell, +after all. Aunt Beata and I have seen this coming and it has made us +very happy. + + Norbert. + +(_Flinging his arms about his father_.) Father! Father! + + Richard. + +Norbert! My dear lad! But we don't yet know what Uncle Michael will +say---- + + Norbert. + +Uncle Michael? When I'm _your_ son? Father, you've heard something. You +wouldn't frighten me for nothing. + + Richard. + +I have heard nothing. But, Norbert, listen. Whatever comes to you in +after days, I want you to remember one thing: it doesn't matter whether +we succeed or not. What we need is the guiding note of a voice that +seems the echo of our best hopes. It doesn't matter whether we are +mistaken in the voice or not--the great thing is to hear it. And the +worst thing is not to feel the need of it. + + Norbert. + +Thank you, father. I'm not sure I understand--but you may be sure I +shall listen for the voice. + + Richard. + +And one thing more. Uncle Michael is very busy just now. Leave him +alone for a day or two--even if you have the chance of speaking. And +let me see you to-morrow morning early. I may have to go on a long +journey--and before I start---- + + Norbert. + +On a journey? Now? Just as you---- + + Richard (_nods_). + +This is between ourselves. But meanwhile, try to see Aunt Beata for a +moment. I want you to tell her--but stay, I'll write. (_He seats +himself at the writing-table and begins to write_.) + + _Enter_ George. + + George. + +His Excellency Baron Ludwig von Völkerlingk. + + _Enter_ Baron Ludwig. Richard _starts up, pleased and surprised_. + + George. + +The evening papers, your Excellency. (_He puts them down and goes +out_.) + + Richard. + +Ludwig! It's a long time since you've given me this pleasure. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Thank you, Richard. + + Richard. + +Will you excuse me a moment? I am finishing a letter. (_He folds the +letter, puts it into an envelope and writes the address, while_ Norbert +_and_ Baron Ludwig _are greeting each other_.) There! + + Norbert (_taking the letter_). + +An answer, father? + + Richard. + +As soon as possible. (Norbert _goes out_.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +My dear Richard--we're quite alone, I suppose? (Richard _nods_.) +Forgive the suggestion, but-- (_he glances about the room_) Leonie +sometimes overhears---- + + Richard. + +Leonie is out. + + Baron Ludwig. + +So much the better. But first let me tell you with what admiration I +listened to you just now--what breathless admiration! (Richard _makes a +gesture of thanks_.) Still, I confess that your having to speak on such +a subject just at present made me--er--a little nervous---- + + Richard. + +Why so? + + Baron Ludwig. + +I was almost afraid--but we'll go into that presently.--Well, at +all events, if nothing goes wrong, you may look upon this as the +starting-point of a career that any man living might envy you. + + Richard. + +What do you mean? + + Baron Ludwig. + +A certain personage was heard to say after your speech: _That is the +man I need_. Don't look as if you saw a ghost. You deserve it all, my +dear Richard. + + Richard. + +(_Walks up and down in agitated silence_.) Ludwig--you have led me to +the top of a high mountain and shown me the promised land in which I +shall never set foot. Give me time to renounce the idea. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Why should you talk of renouncing it? But this brings me to the object +of my visit. Richard, how long do you suppose your enemies will wait +before making capital out of your speech? + + Richard. + +I'm ready for them, my dear fellow. I'll pay the shot--to the last +penny! + + Baron Ludwig (_in a lower tone_). + +We are talking at cross-purposes. I referred to the insinuations of +your former secretary. + + Richard. + +I understand. + + Baron Ludwig. + +You know there is nothing they are so eager to attack as our private +life. Of course I don't for a moment imagine the man has anything to go +on--but unless you can silence him he may make a scandal in which +everything will go under--your name, your career--and other things +besides. + + Richard. + +What can I do to prevent it? + + Baron Ludwig. + +For one thing, you might jump into a cab and hunt your man down with a +big bribe in your pocket. + + Richard. + +Do you think that kind of man could be bribed? + + Baron Ludwig. + +My dear Richard, this is not merely a matter of life and death. +Remember that. Of course you may be too late; but it's the only way I +can suggest. (_There is a knock on the door_.) + + Richard. + +Come in. + + _Enter_ Holtzmann. + + Holtzmann. + +I beg your pardon, Baron. (_In a low voice_.) An important matter---- + + Richard. + +You may speak before my brother. I have no secrets from him. + + Holtzmann. + +There is a man waiting in my room who wishes to speak to you. His name +is Meixner. (_The two brothers look at each other_.) + + Richard. + +Thanks. Please tell Herr Meixner that I will see him in a moment. +(Holtzmann _goes out_.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +Well, this ends my mission. Good-bye, Richard. Your luck frightens me. + + Richard (_laughing bitterly_). + +My luck! + + Baron Ludwig (_pressing his hands_). + +Don't hang back now, my dear fellow. The way is open to you. + + Richard. + +Thank you. Good-bye. (Baron Ludwig _goes out_. Richard _rings_.) + + _Enter_ George. + + Richard. + +I will see the gentleman who is waiting. You will remain in the +ante-room. Don't let in any one else. (George _goes out. After a short +pause_ Meixner _enters_.) + + Richard. + +Herr Meixner, after what has happened, doesn't it strike you as rather +a liberty that you should enter my house? + + Meixner. + +(_Speaking in a hoarse voice, with an occasional cough_.) May I take my +muffler off? My lungs have gone wrong--makes it very hard for me to +talk down my adversary in one of those crowded smoky halls.--But what's +to be done about it? + + Richard. + +May I ask what you want of me? + + Meixner. + +Really, Baron, from the way you look at me I might almost ask what you +want of _me_. But I suppose it's my turn first.--I haven't come out of +malice. You can safely offer me a chair. + + Richard. + +If you haven't come out of malice you probably won't stay long enough +to need one. + + Meixner. + +Ah--thanks. Well, I'll take the hint and be brief. It was down at +Lengenfeld, you know. Herr Holtzmann and I sat up a whole night arguing +over the elections. Why not--two honourable antagonists, eh? Herr +Holtzmann, as a good theologian, was all for the sanctity of the social +order. I laughed at him--he's at the age when the disciple looks up to +his master, and he brought you up as an example. I laughed at him +again.--"If Baron Völkerlingk is not what I believe him to be," said +he, "nothing is what I believe it to be, and I'll go over to your +side." "Shake hands on that," said I; and we did. The next day, in my +speech, I made that allusion--you know what I mean--and as no one took +it up, and I began to be afraid it might hang fire, I sent about a few +copies of the paper. That helped. I got my nomination the next day. + + Richard. + +Not in my district. + + Meixner. + +No matter. Well I found I'd made a stupid blunder. I'd meant to convert +Holtzmann but I hadn't meant to ruin _you_. Do you see? Then you made +your speech to-day--and after that-- Well, I've been tramping the +streets ever since, saying to myself: The man who could make that +speech after what he's been through--well, he's suffered enough.--Baron +Völkerlingk, here are two letters written to you by-- (_he looks about +him cautiously_) by a lady I needn't name. Don't ask me how I got them. +I didn't steal them; and here they are, if you'll give me your word +that you'll put a stop to that libel-suit. + + Richard. + +I think the suit has already been stopped. + + Meixner. + +H'm--well, your thinking so is hardly sufficient. + + Richard. + +It will have to be stopped, even if you keep those letters. + + Meixner (_startled_). + +Even if--? H'm--do things look as badly as that for you? + + Richard. + +You will kindly leave me out of the question. + + Meixner. + +Ah--well--here are your letters. (_Lays them on the table_.) + + Richard. + +If you didn't wish to do me a public injury, why not have shown them +privately to my secretary? + + Meixner. + +They might have been forgeries. + + Richard. + +They may be so still. + + Meixner. + +When I've taken the trouble to return them to you? Holtzmann doesn't +think so. He's packing up already. Perhaps you'd like to see him before +he leaves? + + Richard. + +No. + + Meixner. + +Baron Völkerlingk, if I have got you into trouble don't set it down to +ill-feeling. Principle is principle, if we have to hang for it. Every +man who has convictions must be prepared to go to the stake for them. +Good-day to you, Baron Völkerlingk. (_He goes out_.) + + Richard. + +(_Clutches the letters and strikes his clenched hand against his +brow_.) Oh, to live again to live, to live! + + _Enter_ Norbert. + + Norbert. + +Father---- + + Richard. + +Well? + + Norbert. + +Aunt Beata was out. + + Richard. + +Out? At this hour? Why, she never goes out except for her morning +drive. Where can she have gone? + + Norbert. + +No one knows. + + Richard. + +But she must have ordered the carriage? + + Norbert. + +It seems not. + + Richard. + +Well, thank you, my boy. What time is it? + + Norbert. + +Nearly seven. + + Richard. + +You had better dine without me. I shall go and enquire. She may +have---- + + Norbert. + +Is there anything I can do, father? + + Richard. + +No, no. Thanks, Norbert. (_He gives him his hand_.) Good-night, my lad. + + Norbert. + +Good-night, father. (_Goes out_.) + + Richard (_to himself_). + +My God! My God! (_He hurries toward the door, and starts back amazed_.) + + _Enter_ Beata, _in hat and cloak, her face thickly veiled_. + + Richard. + +Beata! (_He closes the door_.) Where have you come from? Tell me, for +heaven's sake! + + Beata. + +Alive! + + Richard. + +Did any one see you except George? + + Beata. + +Alive--alive! (_She sinks into a chair, trembling and hiding her face +in her hands_.) + + Richard. + +Good God, Beata, rouse yourself! What has happened? Don't keep me in +suspense. What is it, dearest? Answer me. + + Beata. + +I'm so cold. + + Richard (_opening the door_). + +George! (George _enters_.) Light the fire. + + George (_kneels down and lights it_). + +Yes, your Excellency. + + Richard. + +And see that no one interrupts us. I am engaged with Madame von +Kellinghausen. + + George. + +Yes, your Excellency. + + Richard. + +If the Baroness comes in, say nothing, but let me know. + + George. + +Yes, your Excellency. (_Goes out_.) + + Richard. + +And now, come and sit by the fire. But take off your cloak +first--there. And your hat and veil too? + + Beata. +(_Letting her arms sink down helplessly_.) I can't. + + Richard. + +Wait, dear. (_He loosens her veil_.) How white you are! Come to the +fire. (_He leads her to the fireplace_.) There! is that right? + + Beata. + +Everything is right as long as you're alive! + + Richard. + +Why, Beata, what put such an idea into your head? + + Beata. + +Hasn't it been in _yours_ ever since yesterday? + + Richard. + +There will be no duel, I assure you. + + Beata. + +I have just read your speech. It was your goodbye to the world. Oh, +don't laugh--don't deny it. I've felt death hanging over us ever since. + + Richard. + +And I swear to you that I've never loved life better, have never been +more determined to live, than now that I've won back my place in the +world. + + Beata. + +You swear that to me? + + Richard. + +I swear it. + + Beata. + +And yet you must die. + + Richard. + +So must we all. But I mean to put it off as long as possible, I promise +you! + + Beata (_standing up_). + +Richard, for fifteen years we haven't kept a single thought from each +other, yet now that the end has come you throw me over as if you were +paying off a discarded mistress. + + Richard (_agitated_). + +Beata! + + Beata. + +Don't be afraid. I am not going to force your confidence. You would +only repeat what Michael has already told me--that you are going to +travel, to disappear for a while.--Is this the laugh with which we were +to have greeted death? Often and often, at night, when I've lain in bed +struggling for breath, I've said to myself that I should die before +morning. What if it really happened to-night? You'd have to wait +then--you'd have no right to follow me. Think how people would talk if +you did! (_With a sudden start_.) The children, Richard--there must be +no shadow on the children. + + Richard. + +Beata, don't talk so wildly. Do shake off such fancies. + + Beata (_musing_). + +Yes--yes.--You know you'll have a note from Michael in the morning. + + Richard. + +What do you mean? + + Beata. + +A note asking you to luncheon to-morrow to meet some friends. Nothing +more. + + Richard. + +What is the object---- + + Beata. + +It seems there has been some gossip at the clubs, and this is the +shortest way of putting a stop to it. (_Entreatingly_.) You'll come, +Richard, won't you? + + Richard. + +Beata! Why should we go through this new misery? + + Beata (_in wild anxiety_). + +Richard, you _will_ come? You must come. + + Richard. + +I can't, Beata. + + Beata. + +It is the last thing I shall ever ask of you. Now you're smiling +again--well, I'll believe anything you tell me--about your travelling, +about your disappearing--I'll believe anything, if you'll only come. +Richard, come for the children's sake. And if not for the children's +sake, come for mine--or I shall die of it--I shall die of it, Richard, +in the night---- + + Richard (_overcome_). + +I will come. + + Beata. + +Give me your hand. (Richard _gives it_. Beata _takes his hand, and +passes it over her eyes and cheeks_.) There--I'm quite quiet again, you +see. (_Sits down_.) I don't know if I told you that I'm going to +Rossitsch to-morrow. + + Richard. + +For good? + + Beata (_nodding_). + +So that, unless you come and pay me a visit there---- + + Richard. + +This is good-bye? + +For always. So you needn't keep yourself so frightfully in hand. (_He +looks at her doubtfully_.) You needn't, really. (_He falls on his knees +before her and hides his face in her lap_.) + + Beata (_stroking his hair_). + +"I knew a sad old tale of Tristram and Iseult"--How grey you've grown +in these last few days! (_She kisses his hair_.) Don't get up yet--I +want to look at you again--for the last time.--Only I can't see +you--your face has been like a mask ever since yesterday.--Look at me +just once as you used to--just once! + + Richard (_rising_). + +I've never changed to you. + + Beata. + +Haven't you?--Who knows?--We've grown old, you and I. There's a layer +of ashes on our hearts--a layer of conventionality and good behaviour +and weariness and disappointment.--Who knows what we were like before +the fire went out? Not a trace is left to tell--not so much as a riband +or a flower. The words are forgotten, the letters are destroyed, the +emotions have faded. Here we sit like two ghosts on our own graves. +(_Passionately_.) Oh, to go back just once to the old life, and then +forget everything---- + + Richard. + +Do you really want to? + + Beata. + +You can work wonders--but not that! + + Richard. + +(_Draws out the letters, and opening one, begins to read it to her_.) +"Rossitsch, June 13th, 1881. Two o'clock in the morning." + + Beata. + +What is that? + + Richard. + +Listen. (_Reading_.) "I don't want to sleep, dearest. The night is too +bright and my happiness too great. The moonlight lies on Likowa, and +already the dawn shows red through the network of elms. The blood beats +like a hammer in my temples--I scarcely know how I am going to bear the +riches of my new life. Oh, how I pray God to let me live it out beside +you--not as your wife, that would be too wild a dream!--but as an +unseen influence at your side, faint as the moonlight which rests upon +your sleep, or as the first glow of dawn that wakes you to new +endeavour." + + Beata. + +I must have been listening to Wagner. Let me see; did I really write +that? (_She reads_.) "For I mean to make you the greatest among men, +you, my discoverer and my deliverer--" That's not so bad, you know. +(_Reads on_.) "If only heaven would let me die, and give you my life to +live as well as your own." (_She rises suddenly with a strange look on +her face_.) + + Richard. + +This letter and another have just been brought to me by--Meixner. If he +had come yesterday we should have been saved. Now it is too late. + + Beata. + +Too late?--Oh, Richard, how ungrateful I've been! Why, every prayer +of my youth has been granted--the long sad sweet dream at your +side-- (_She breaks suddenly into laughter_.) + + Richard. + +Why do you laugh? + + Beata. + +I laugh because in your speech this morning you disowned us +both--disowned our long sad sweet dream. Oh, I don't blame you, +Richard. It isn't your conscience that torments you, it's the +conscience of the race. I'm only a woman--what do I care for the race? +You felt that you were sinning--I felt that I had risen above myself, +that I had attained the harmony nature meant me to attain. And because +I feel that---- + + Richard. + +You deny that we have sinned----? + + Beata. + +I deny nothing. I affirm nothing. I stand on the farther shore of life, +and look over at you with a smile. Oh, Richard, Richard (_she laughs_), +did you ever really think I had given you up? I never gave you up. I +never ceased to long for you, passionately, feverishly, day and night, +when you were away and when you were near me--always, always--and all +the while I was playing the cool, quiet friend, biting my lips to keep +the words back, and crushing down my rebellious heart--yes, and through +it all I was so happy--so unspeakably, supremely happy---- + + Richard (_going up to her_). + +Take care, dear. You mustn't excite yourself. I shall have to send you +home. + + Beata. + +(_Letting her head sink on his breast with a happy smile_.) Home? This +is home. + + Richard. + +They will be wondering where you are. They may send here to find you. + + Beata (_mysteriously, urgently_). + +No, no--not yet! I have so much to say to you. There are so many +secrets I must tell you. Everything has grown so clear to me--I wish +I--Richard, you will surely come to-morrow? (_Crying out suddenly_.) I +want to stay with you. I am afraid of to-night! + + Richard. + +Beata, do try to control yourself. + + Beata. + +Yes, yes--I'll control myself.-- (_She stands motionless, benumbed_.) +Give me my hat. (_He brings her the hat and veil_.) And my veil. +(_Fervently_.) You still love your life, Richard? You still want to +live? + + Richard. + +Haven't I told you so? Ever since---- + + Beata. + +Never fear, dearest. You _shall_ live. + + Richard (_with outstretched hands_). + +Beata, before we part---- + + Beata. + +Don't thank me--don't kiss me. I--good-bye, Richard. (_She goes out_.) + + Richard. + +Beata! + + + Curtain. + + + + + ACT V + + + + + ACT V + + +_The dining-room at_ Count Kellinghausen's. _In the middle of the stage +a table with six covers. On the right a sofa, table, and chairs. +Sideboard on the left. In the centre at the back a wide door leading +into the drawing-room. Door on the right into anteroom, door on the +left into inner apartments. A window on the right, in the foreground. +Grey light of a winter's day_. Ellen _is busy arranging the flowers on +the table_. Conrad _in the background. Enter_ Beata _from the left_. + + Ellen. + +Oh, mother, I'm so glad you've come. Will the flowers do? + + Beata. + +Beautifully, dear. (Conrad _goes out_.) + + Ellen. + +And the cards? Look--I've put you here, of course, with Baron Ludwig on +your right, and Prince Usingen on your left.--Mother! You're not +listening. + + Beata. + +Yes I am. But Brachtmann is older than the Prince. They must change +places. + + Ellen. + +Very well. And this is Uncle Richard's seat, next to father's. + + _Enter_ Kellinghausen. + + Kellinghausen. + +What about father? + + Ellen. + +I was only saying that I had put Uncle Richard next to you. + + Kellinghausen. + +Next to me?--Yes, yes; of course. Quite right. (_He pets her_.) Now, +you monkey, be off! + + Beata. + +I shall see you before luncheon, dear. + + Ellen. + +Yes, mother. (_Goes out_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +I came to speak to you about our arrangements. I have just received a +telegram from Rossitsch. Your rooms are ready for you. To prevent any +talk, I shall take you there and leave you. I suppose you are ready to +start this evening? + + Beata. + +Whenever you please, dear Michael. + + Kellinghausen. + +You don't seem to have made any preparations. + + Beata (_smiling_). + +I have so few to make! + + Kellinghausen. + +I have no objection to Ellen's remaining with you till the spring. Then +we can see about sending her to a boarding-school. + + Beata. + +I consent to that too. + + Kellinghausen. + +You could hardly expect your refusal to make much difference. + + Beata (_still smiling_). + +Don't be afraid. I understand my position. + + Kellinghausen. + +And who is to blame for it? + + Beata. + +My dear Michael, we neither of us care for tragedy. Why not let that +be? + + Kellinghausen. + +You're right.--Where have you put my seat? + + Beata. + +Here. + + Kellinghausen. + +Another torture to undergo! + + Beata. + +Isn't it more than you can bear? + + Kellinghausen. + +Perhaps--but it can't be helped. I had to have these people--I've got +to go through with it. + + Beata. + +Yes, you've got to go through with it. And so have I. I need them more +than you do. + + Kellinghausen. + +You? Why? + + Beata. + +You will see later. + + Kellinghausen. + +You have no right to keep anything from me---- + + Beata. + +Are you keeping nothing from _me_? (_He turns away_.) Michael, here is +a letter in which I have written something I can't well say to you. +Will you promise not to open it till luncheon is over? + + Kellinghausen. + +Yes. + + Beata. + +You give me your word? + + Kellinghausen. + +Yes. + + Beata (_giving him the letter_). + +Here it is. + + Kellinghausen. + +Thank you. Then--I suppose--we-- (_Goes to the door_.) + + Beata. + +Michael! + + Kellinghausen. + +Eh? + + Beata. + +You know I'm not very strong--oh, don't misunderstand me! I'm not +trying to work on your feelings--but you know how much is at stake. If +Richard Völkerlingk should die suddenly, and I---- + + Kellinghausen (_tortured_). + +I beg of you, Beata! I---- + + Beata. + +Well? + + Kellinghausen. + +Go on. + + Beata. + +You had something to say. + + Kellinghausen (_confused_). + +I--I was only going to tell you--that there will be no duel. + + Beata. + +Ah.--Then the danger I spoke of is removed, and I---- + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Conrad. + +His Highness Prince Usingen and Baron Brachtmann are in the +drawing-room. + + Kellinghausen. + +I will come at once. (Conrad _goes out_.) + + Beata. + +If you don't mind I will join you at table. + + Kellinghausen. + +You are not well. + + Beata (_carelessly_). + +It's nothing to speak of. Don't keep them waiting.--(Kellinghausen +_stands before her, shaken with tearless sobs_. Beata _goes up to him +and lays her hand softly on his arm_.) Michael, dear, when I think how +I have hurt you I should like to fall down before you and kiss your +hands--I should like to show you--what is in my heart--but it's too +late to say such things now---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Good-bye. (_He goes out_. Beata _rings and_ Conrad _enters_.) + + Beata. + +Ask Countess Ellen to bring me my drops. (Conrad _goes out_. Beata +_stretches out her arms and passes her hands over her face_.) + + _Enter_ Ellen. + + Ellen (_in the doorway_). + +Mother! Are you ill? (Beata _stretches out her arms again, half +beckoning_ Ellen, _half warding her off_. Ellen, _hastening to her_.) +Mother! Mother! what is it? + + Beata (_softly_). + +Nothing, nothing. (_She strokes_ Ellen's hair, _lets her arms slip +gradually from the girl's shoulders, and finds the phial containing the +drops in her left hand. A long shudder_.) Give me the drops. + + Ellen. + +How you snatch! Here they are. (Beata _turns the phial about in her +hand_.) Mother, are we really going to Rossitsch, this evening? + + Beata (_nodding_). + +Yes. + + Ellen. + +In midwinter? Why do we go? + + Beata. + +H'm---- + + Ellen. + +What will Norbert say? It looks as though you wanted to separate us---- + + Beata. + +Does it? Does it really look so? + + Ellen. + +No, no, no--forgive me! No. + + Beata. + +But others might want to separate you--for life--for life, Ellen! Do +you understand? + + Ellen. + +Mother! + + Beata. + +Shall I tell you what to do if ever that happens? Wait till you are of +age, and then go to him wherever he is, and say: "My mother sent me." +Do you see? + + Ellen. + +Yes, yes--but why----? + + Beata. + +By and by, at Rossitsch, I'll tell you. When we sit together in the big +hall, over the fire, with the wind singing in the chimney. You'll like +that, won't you, dear? We'll be so jolly together, you and I. And now, +darling, go. (_Passionately_.) No, come back-- (_kissing her) and +now-- (_smiling at her) go dear, go! (Ellen _goes out_.) + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Beata. + +Has every one come? + + Conrad. + +All but Baron Richard. + + Beata. + +You may announce luncheon, then. (Conrad _goes out. A moment later he +throws open the doors, and_ Baron Ludwig, Prince Usingen, Baron +Brachtmann, _and_ Kellinghausen _enter_.) + + Beata. + +Prince--Herr von Brachtmann--how do you do? (_To_ Baron Ludwig.) Your +Excellency, you are to sit on my right. + + Baron Ludwig. + +You do me too much honour. (Conrad _closes the folding-doors_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +And now, gentlemen, shall we begin _ŕ la Russe_, with a little caviare? +(_He leads the others to the table near the sofa, where cold dishes and +liqueurs are set out_.) + + Prince. + +Your true German can't abide a Russian, but we all adore their caviare. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Where can my brother be? The feast is given for him and he is the last +to appear. + + Brachtmann. + +He's probably doing what we all do the day after. Poring over the +papers. + + Prince. + +And wondering how it is that yesterday's laurels have already turned +into thorns. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Ah, that's part of the game. + + Prince. + +No, it's the end of the game. + + Beata. + +What do you mean, Prince? + + Prince. + +That our growth ceases when we gain our end. Attainment means being +nailed fast--nailed to a cross, sometimes! + + Kellinghausen. + +(_While_ Conrad _hands about glasses of wine_.) Gentlemen, won't you +drop your epigrams and try some of my port? + + Prince. + +It's his Excellency's doing. He always begins! + + _Enter a footman_. + + The Footman. + +Baron Richard von Völkerlingk. (_There is an expectant murmur_.) + + _Enter_ Richard. + + Brachtmann (_aside to_ Prince). + +I told you there was nothing wrong. + + Prince. + +Wait and see. + + Richard (_kissing_ Beata's _hand_). + +Forgive my being so late. A dozen things turned up at the last moment. +Excuse me, Michael. (_The_ Prince _makes a sign to_ Brachtmann.) + + Kellinghausen. + +(_Shaking hands composedly with_ Richard.) Don't mention it, my dear +fellow. We are lucky to get you at all. The man of the hour you can't +have a moment to yourself. + + Richard. + +I've not had many yet. (_Shakes hands with him again and then turns to +the others_.) + + Beata. + +Shall we have luncheon? Völkerlingk, you can join us when you've had +your caviare. (Richard _makes a gesture refusing the hors-d'[oe]uvre_.) + + Brachtmann (_aside to the_ Prince). + +Well? + + Prince. + +Irreproachable, as usual. + + Brachtmann. + +Thank God! (_They all seat themselves_.) + + Prince (_to_ Baron Ludwig). + +I can't make your brother out. You know him better than we do. Look at +his face--what's the matter with him? + + Baron Ludwig. + +We are such complicated machines, your Highness. It's impossible to +explain any one with a word. + + Beata. + +Take a hundred, then. (_With a short excited laugh_.) Life is long +enough! + + Kellinghausen (_to himself_). + +Yes. Life is long enough. + + Richard. + +Instead of discussing my appearance I wish you would criticise my +speech. + + Prince. + +What a _gourmet_ he is, Countess! He wants the disapproval of his +friends to season the praise of his enemies! + + Richard. + +Now, then, Brachtmann? + + Brachtmann. + +Why, my dear fellow, if you insist--I must tell you frankly that I had +hoped you would lay more stress on the view of marriage as a divine +institution. + + Richard. + +I have the greatest respect for that view of marriage, but I fear it +might have invalidated the scientific side of my argument. What do you +say, Prince? + + Prince. + +And what if it did? It's much more gratifying to our vanity to think +ourselves the objects of divine solicitude than the victims of natural +law. (Brachtmann _and_ Baron Ludwig _protest_. Beata _laughs_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +Really, Usingen----! + + Baron Ludwig. + +Isn't your Highnesses scepticism a little overdone? Surely society has +made us the natural protectors of the social order. The order may +change with the times--all we ask is that it should maintain the moral +balance of power. (Beata _laughs_.) You are amused, Countess? + + Beata (_still laughing_). + +I was only laughing to think how often I'd heard it before--the moral +balance of power, and all the rest! I'm sure our ancestors sang the +same song when they threw their victims to Moloch. And our souls are +still thrown by the million to the Moloch of social expediency. We are +all expected to sacrifice our personal happiness to the welfare of the +race! (_She laughs excitedly_.) + + Kellinghausen (_almost threateningly_). + +Beata! + + Baron Ludwig. + +Countess, you are conjuring up a phantom. + + Beata. + +It may be a phantom, but it has us by the throat.--(_To_ Richard.) What +are you thinking of, Völkerlingk? You are not going to refuse our +celebrated game-pie? + + Richard. + +I beg your pardon. I wasn't thinking. (_He helps himself to the dish_.) + + Beata. + +You must know that that pie is an invention of my own! + + Prince. + +Dear me, Countess, are you at home in every branch of learning? + + Beata. + +Oh, I had the making of a great cook in me. I believe I'm the last of +the old school--the model housekeeper, the domestic wife, the +high-priestess of the family! (_She goes on laughing excitedly and_ +Michael _nervously echoes her laugh_.) + + Richard. + +(_Making a perceptible effort to change the conversation_.) My dear +Countess, no one ever ventures to dispute your statements. But there is +one family about which I want to say a word and that is the one we are +in. (_Rising_.) I drink to the house of Kellinghausen! + + The Others. + +Hear--hear! + + Richard. + +The house of Kellinghausen! As I look back over my life, I don't know +how to sum up all I owe to it. (_He turns to_ Beata.) To you, my dear +friend---- + + Kellinghausen (_with forced gaiety_). + +Is this a settlement in full, my dear fellow? + + Richard. + +(_Taken aback, but recovering himself instantly_.) You're right, +Michael. There's no use trying; but there's something I want to say to +you. + + Kellinghausen. + +Hear! hear! + + Richard (_to the others_). + +Since yesterday, you all know what I owe him. My success is his doing, +all his doing. If I've gained my end, if I've reached the goal at last, +it's to Kellinghausen I owe it. Here's to my good friend and yours! + + The Others. + +Hear! Hear! (_They clink their glasses_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +(_With a strained laugh, as he and_ Richard _touch glasses_.) You might +have left that out. + + Richard. + +I should have written it if I hadn't said it. + + Kellinghausen (_still on his feet_). + +Gentlemen--Beata--I may speak for all of you, I believe? I think our +friend Völkerlingk proved conclusively yesterday that if he has taken +my place it is because he has the best right to it. (_On the verge +of an outburst_.) A better right to it--than-- (_He is checked +by a terrified glance from_ Beata, _who utters a low exclamation_.) +Well--well--I'm not much of a speech-maker.--Gentlemen--Beata--long +life to our friend Völkerlingk--long life to my successor! + + Beata. + +(_In a low voice, while the others gather about_ Richard.) Long life to +him! (_She presses her hand to her heart, and rests heavily against the +arm of her chair_.) + + Prince (_to_ Kellinghausen). + +Is anything wrong with the Countess? + + Kellinghausen. + +Beata! + + Beata (_raising herself with a smile_). + +Yes? + + Kellinghausen. + +Would you not rather go into the drawing-room? You look tired. (_She +shakes her head_.) + + Richard. + +(_In a formal tone, with a glance at_ Michael.) We all beg of you, +Countess---- + + Beata. + +(_Looking from one to the other with growing apprehension_.) +No--no--no--I'm quite--quite--on the contrary--_I_ have a toast to +propose. (Richard _makes a startled gesture_.) Yes--a toast of my own! +But please all sit down first---- + + Prince. + +Woman disposes! + + Kellinghausen. + +Beata, you are overtaxing yourself. Be careful. + + Beata. + +My dear friends, you all go on wishing each other a long life but which +of us is really alive? Which of us really dares to live? Somewhere, far +off in the distance, we catch a glimpse of life--but we hide our eyes +and shrink away from it like transgressors. And that's our nearest +approach to living! Do you really think you're alive--any one of you? +Or do you think I am? (_She springs up with an inspired look_.) But I, +at least--I--whose whole life is one long struggle against death--I who +never sleep, who hardly breathe, who barely stand--I at least know how +to laugh, how to love life and be thankful for it! (_She staggers to +her feet, raising her glass, her voice no more than a hoarse whisper_.) +And as the only living soul among you, I drink to the joy of living! + + The Others (_holding out their glasses_). + +Good! Good! Bravo! + + Beata. + +(_Draws a deep breath, sets down her glass, and looks about her +confusedly. Her eyes rest on_ Richard, _and then turn to_ Michael, _to +whom she speaks_.) I think I will take your advice and go into the +other room for a little while. (_She rises with an effort_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +There, Beata! I warned you. + + Baron Ludwig (_offering her his arm_). + +Won't you take my arm, Countess? + + Beata. + +No, no--thanks! Michael, make my excuses. I shall be back in a few +minutes. (_She lingers in the doorway with a last smile and a last look +at_ Richard.) Good-bye. I shall be back--in a few minutes. (_Goes +out_.) + + Kellinghausen (_to the others_). + +Don't be alarmed. My wife often breaks down in this way--I knew by her +excitement that it was coming. Please sit down again. I assure you that +in a few minutes she--(_A heavy fall is heard in the next room_. +Richard _starts violently_. Michael _half springs from his seat, but +controls himself with an effort. There is a short pause_.)--she'll be +coming back laughing as usual. (_Whispers are heard behind the door to +the left_. Richard _is seen to listen intently_.) What are you +listening to? What's the matter? + + Richard (_agitated_). + +I beg your pardon--I thought I-- (Ellen _is heard to utter a piercing +scream. The men start to their feet_. Michael _rushes out_.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +Surely that was Countess Ellen's voice? + + Prince. + +It doesn't look as if the Countess were going to come back laughing as +usual. + + Michael _enters with a ghastly face_. + + Kellinghausen (_hoarsely_). + +The nearest doctor--any one--quick! (_Goes out again_. Richard _makes a +motion as though to follow him, then turns and rushes out of the door +to the right_.) + + Brachtmann. + +The Countess is subject to such attacks; but this seems--different. + + Prince. + +H'm--yes--quite so. (_There is a long silence_.) + + Brachtmann (_to_ Baron Ludwig). + +Your brother may not be able to find a doctor. + + Baron Ludwig. + +We must hope for the best. (_Another silence_.) + + Prince. + +Perhaps we had better be going---- + + Brachtmann. + +(_Nods his assent; then to_ Baron Ludwig.) Are you coming? + + Baron Ludwig. + +I shall wait for my brother. (_He shakes hands with them_.) + + Prince. + +H'm. (_He and_ Brachtmann _go out_. Baron Ludwig _walks up and down the +room shaking his head_.) + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Well? + + Conrad. + +I can't say yet, your Excellency. (_He goes to the table_.) We are +looking for the drops. Countess Ellen gave them to the Countess herself +before luncheon. + + Baron Ludwig. + +I thought I saw something in her hand at luncheon. Has any one looked +in her hand? + + Conrad. + +No. (_He goes out. There is a pause_.) + + _Enter_ Richard _and a doctor_. + + Richard. + +Well? Has anything---- + + Baron Ludwig. + +Nothing. + + Richard. + +Will you come this way, doctor? + + The Doctor. + +Thank you. (Richard _and the doctor go out_. Baron Ludwig _continues to +pace the floor_.) + + _Enter_ Norbert _by door on the right_. + + Norbert. + +Uncle, what has happened? I've just met Brachtmann and Usingen. They +said--uncle-- (Baron Ludwig _points silently to the door on the left_. +Norbert _hurries through it. Another pause_. Baron Ludwig _continues to +pace up and down. The doctor_, Richard _and_ Michael _come slowly into +the room_.) + + The Doctor (_after a silence_). + +Count, I am extremely sorry to have come too late. But it may be some +comfort to you to know that I could have done nothing. Death was the +result of heart disease--the end must have been instantaneous. May I +ask who was the Countess's regular physician? + + Kellinghausen. + +Dr. Kahlenberg. + + The Doctor. + +I will notify him at once. Permit me to offer my sympathy. + + Kellinghausen. + +Thank you, doctor. (_Shakes his hand and accompanies him to the door. +The doctor goes out_. Baron Ludwig _shakes_ Kellinghausen's _hand +silently, nods to_ Richard _and withdraws_.) + + Richard. + +Thank you, Michael--for letting me be with her---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Read this. (_Hands him_ Beata's _letter_.) + + Richard. + +(_Takes the letter, shudders at sight of the handwriting, tries to read +it, and then hands it back_.) I cannot---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Then I will read it to you. It's meant for both of us. (_He reads_.) +"Dear Michael, even if the poison is found in me they will think I took +it by mistake. To avoid suspicion I shall do it while we are all at +luncheon. I see that some one must pay the penalty--better I than he. +He has his work before him--I have lived my life. And so I mean to +steal a march on him. Whatever you have agreed upon between you, my +death will cancel the bargain--he cannot die now without causing the +scandal you have been so anxious to avert. I have always loved +happiness, and I find happiness now in doing this for his sake, and the +children's and yours. Beata." As she says, this cancels our agreement. +You see that I must give you back your word. + + Richard. + +And you see, Michael---- + + _Enter_ Norbert. + + Norbert. + +(_Throws himself weeping into_ Kellinghausen's _arms_.) Uncle Michael! + + Kellinghausen. + +Go, my son--go to Ellen. (Norbert _wrings_ Richard's _hand without +speaking, and goes out_.) + + Richard. + +And you see, Michael, that _I_ live because I must--that I +live--because I am dead---- + + + Curtain. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben), by +Hermann Sudermann + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOY OF LIVING *** + +***** This file should be named 34207-8.txt or 34207-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/2/0/34207/ + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben) + A Play in Five Acts + +Author: Hermann Sudermann + +Translator: Edith Wharton + +Release Date: November 4, 2010 [EBook #34207] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOY OF LIVING *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + +</pre> + + +<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Note:<br> + 1. Page scan source: http://www.archive.org/details/joyoflivingthe00suderich</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>THE JOY OF LIVING</h1> + +<h3>(<i>ES LEBE DAS LEBEN</i>)</h3> + +<h3>A PLAY IN FIVE ACTS</h3> + +<br> +<h4>BY</h4> +<h2>HERMANN SUDERMANN</h2> +<br> +<br> + +<h3>TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN</h3> +<h4>BY</h4> +<h3>EDITH WHARTON</h3> + +<br> +<br> +<br> + +<h3>CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS<br> +NEW YORK:::::::::::::::::1906</h3> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h4><i>Copyright, 1902, by Charles Scribner's Sons</i></h4> + +<br> +<br> +<h4>Published, November, 1902</h4> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h5>TROW DIRECTORY<br> +PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY<br> +NEW YORK</h5> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2><i>Translator's Note</i></h2> + + +<p class="normal"><i>The translation of dramatic dialogue is attended with +special difficulties, and these are peculiarly marked in translating from German +into English. The German sentence carries more ballast than English readers are +accustomed to, and while in translating narrative one may, by means of +subordinate clauses, follow the conformation of the original, it is hard to do +so in rendering conversation, and virtually impossible when the conversation is +meant to be spoken on the stage. To English and American spectators the long +German speeches are a severe strain on the attention, and even in a translation +intended only for the "closet" a too faithful adherence to German construction +is not the best way of doing justice to the original.</i></p> + +<p class="normal"><i>Herr Sudermann's dialogue is more concise than that of many +other German dramatists; yet in translation his sentences and speeches need to +be divided and recast: to preserve the spirit, the letter must be modified. This +is true not only of the construction of his dialogue but also of his forms of +expression. Wherever it has been possible, his analogies, his allusions, his +"tours de phrase," have been scrupulously followed; but where they seemed to +obscure his meaning to English readers some adaptation has been necessary. Apart +from these trifling changes, the original has been closely followed; and such +modifications as have been made were suggested solely by the wish to reproduce +Herr Sudermann's meaning more closely than a literal translation would have +allowed.</i></p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + + + +<h2>CHARACTERS</h2> + +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Count Michael von Kellinghausen</span>.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Beata</span>, his wife.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>, their daughter.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Baron Richard von Völkerlingk</span>.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>, his wife.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>, their son, reading for the +Bar.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig von Völkerlingk</span> (<i>Secretary +of State, Richard's step-brother</i>).</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Prince Usingen</span>.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Baron von Brachtmann</span>.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Herr von Berkelwitz-Grünhof</span>.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Dr. Kahlenberg</span> (<i>Privy Councillor at +the Board of Physicians</i>).</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span> (<i>candidate for Holy +Orders, private Secretary to Baron Richard von Völkerlingk</i>).</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Meixner</span>.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">A Physician</span>.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Conrad</span>, servant at Count +Kellinghausen's.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">George</span>, Baron Richard's servant.</p> +<p class="hang3"><span class="sc">Another Servant</span>.</p> +<br> +<p class="normal"><i>The scene is laid in Berlin--the first three and the fifth +acts at the house of Count Kellinghausen; the fourth act at Baron Richard +Völkerlingk's.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Period: about 1899</i>.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>ACT I</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>THE JOY OF LIVING</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>ACT I</h2> +<br> +<br> +<p class="normal"><i>A drawing-room in the Empire style in </i><span class="sc2"> +Count Kellinghausen's </span><i>house. In front, on the left, a fireplace; to +the left, in the background, a door to the inner apartments; to the right, back, +a door into the front passage; in the foreground, on the right, a window. In the +centre of back wall a wide opening between two columns, partly closed by an old +Gobelins tapestry. On the right a sofa, table and chairs. On the left, in front +of the fireplace, several low seats. Near the middle, placed diagonally, a +writing-table with shelves; beside the table two seats with low backs and a +comfortable arm-chair. Old portraits and coloured prints on the walls.</i></p> + +<p class="normal"><span class="sc2">Holtzmann </span><i>is seated at the back of +the room, a portfolio on his lap</i>. <span class="sc2">Conrad </span><i>ushers in </i><span class="sc2"> +Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span> (<i>in the doorway</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">If your Excellency will kindly come this +way--the doctor is with Madame von Kellinghausen.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah? In that case perhaps I had better----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Madame von Kellinghausen will be here in a moment, your +Excellency. The other gentleman has already been announced. (<i>Indicating </i><span class="sc2"> +Holtzmann</span>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Very well. (<span class="sc2">Conrad </span><i>goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span> (<i>rises and makes a deep bow</i>).</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Bowing slightly in return wanders about the room and at +last pauses before </i><span class="sc2">Holtzmann</span>.) I beg your pardon +but--surely I know your face.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Very likely, your Excellency. My name is Holtzmann, private +secretary to Baron Richard von Völkerlingk.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Indeed? I am so seldom at my brother's. The fact is--er, well. +Yesterday was election-day at Lengenfeld, by the way. The papers were full of it +this morning. It seems to cause a good deal of surprise that Count Kellinghausen +should not only have withdrawn in favour of my brother, but should actually have +gone about canvassing for him. I daresay that's an exaggeration, though?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the contrary, your Excellency. The Count has been down in +the country electioneering for weeks.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Really? And you were with him, I suppose?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span> (<i>with a dry smile</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Very much so, your Excellency. I should be +sorry to be answerable for all the nonsense I've had to talk and write!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">H'm--just so. Nonsense always wins. Who said that, by the way? +Julian the Apostate, wasn't it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No, your Excellency. Talbot.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Julian might have said it. The losing side always +philosophises.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I hope we sha'n't be on the losing side.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">H'm. What is your profession?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Theology, your Excellency.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And how long do you think it will be before it lands you in +socialism?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span> (<i>offended</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Excellency!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear sir, look at the examples! I remember a predecessor of +yours at my brother's--a theological student also, I believe. Well, he landed +with both feet in the middle of the Socialist camp.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, I know, your Excellency. You mean Meixner.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">That reminds me--I hear the fellow has actually been taking a +leading hand in the fight against my brother.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">The report is true.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, I hope you hit back hard.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">That is what I was there for, your Excellency.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Beata </span><i>and </i><span class="sc">Dr. +Kahlenberg</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I hadn't dared to hope that your Excellency would answer my +summons so promptly.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span> (<i>kissing her hand</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">My dear Countess, your summons was a +command--and one I was only too happy to obey. (<span class="sc2">Beata </span><i> +turns to </i><span class="sc2">Holtzmann</span>.) Ah, good-morning, my dear +doctor.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kahlenberg</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Good-morning, your Excellency. How is it you haven't been in +lately to let me look you over? A guilty conscience, eh?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Lack of time, doctor. Give me a day of twenty-five hours, and +I'll devote one of them to consulting my physician.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kahlenberg</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Who will order you to rest during the other twenty-four.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">We all get that order sooner or later, doctor--and from a +chief we have to obey. (<i>In a low voice</i>.) How is the Countess?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kahlenberg</span> (<i>same tone</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">No worse. (<i>To </i><span class="sc2">Beata</span>.) +And now, my dear lady, I must be off--but what's the matter?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>joyously excited, a paper in her hand</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Oh, nothing--nothing--nothing----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kahlenberg</span> (<i>in a tone of friendly reproach</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">You know I've warned you----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Not to feel, not to think, not to laugh, not to cry--not to +live, in short, dear doctor!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kahlenberg</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, I don't object to the laughing.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It's just as well you don't, for it's a habit you couldn't +break me of. There is so much to laugh at in this vale of tears! Well, good-bye, +doctor! (<span class="sc2">Kahlenberg </span><i>goes out</i>.) Beata (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Baron Ludwig</span>). This will +interest you too. Herr Holtzmann--you know Herr Holtzmann?--has just brought me +the returns from Lengenfeld. Only fancy, your brother has a majority of a +hundred and thirty-one! Think of that!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't let us be too sanguine.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Six districts are still to be heard from, Countess, and we +know that four of these belong to the Socialists. It is still doubtful if we can +gain a majority.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>concealing her disappointment</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">And when do you expect to hear the final +result?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">At any moment now.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And when you <i>do</i> hear----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I will jump into a cab and bring you the news instantly.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you so 'much. (<i>Gives him her hand</i>.) Is Baron +Völkerlingk at home?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">He went for a ride. I daresay I shall find him on my return.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Remember me to him, won't you? (<span class="sc2">Holtzmann </span><i> +takes leave with a bow</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What do you hear from Kellinghausen? He is still at +Lengenfeld, I hear.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I have just had a letter. Now that the elections are over he +means to take a day's shooting, and then he is coming home--free from his +party-duties for the first time in years!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And what does the Egeria of the party say to such a state of +things?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Do you mean <i>me</i>, your Excellency?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I mean the woman at whose delightful dinner-table the fate of +more than one important bill has been decided. Now that Kellinghausen has +retired into private life, do you mean to keep up the little political dinners +we've always been so much afraid of?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I hope so, your Excellency. And if you care to beard the lion +in his den, I shall be charmed to send you an invitation. You haven't dined with +us in an age. I've always fancied that the estrangement between your brother and +yourself might be the cause of our seeing so little of you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Countess, those eyes of yours see through everything; +and I read in them all the answers I might make to that question. Ah, +well--Richard had the good luck, the unspeakable good luck, to win your +friendship, and under your influence, to develop into the man he is!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I know how to listen when clever men are talking. That is the +secret of what you call my influence.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You think so?--Well--there was Richard, dabbling in poetry and +politics, in archćology and explorations, like the typical noble amateur. He had +a fortune from his mother, while I was poor. But in one respect I was richer +than he; for he married a fool who dragged him down to the level of her own +silly snobbishness. But then you came--and lifted him up again. Then all his +dormant powers awoke--he discovered his gift as a speaker, he became the +mouthpiece of the party, he got into the Reichstag, and----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And dropped out again.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Exactly. And the estrangement between us dates from that time. +It was reported that government had left him in the lurch, and I was thought to +be more or less responsible.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">At all events, his career was cut short. And he failed again +at the next election.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And now your friendship has helped him to success.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My husband's friendship, you mean.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">In my loveless household I know too little of the power of +woman to pronounce definitely on that point.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You do well to suspend your judgment.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah, now you are displeased with me. I am sorry. I might be of +use to you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">If you wish to be of use to me you can do so by becoming your +brother's friend. It was to ask you this that I sent for you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Countess, I wonder at your faith in human nature!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Human nature has never deceived me.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">One would adore you for saying that if one hadn't so many +other reasons for doing so!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>laughing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Pretty speeches at our age?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You may talk of my age, but not of yours.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Look at the grey hair--here, on my temples; and my +medicine-bottles over there. I never stir without them now.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I have been distressed to hear of your illness.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, my heart bothers me--an old story. My heart is tired--and +I--I'm not. And when I drive it too hard it grows a little restive now and then. +But it doesn't matter! (<i>Enter </i><span class="sc2">Ellen</span>.) Is that +you, Ellen? Come in, dear.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span> (<i>in skating dress</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Mother, dear, I didn't know you had a +visitor. How do you do, your Excellency?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">How do you do, young lady? Dear me dear me what have you been +growing into?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Into life, your Excellency!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ha--very good--very neat. So many people just grow past it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And how was the skating, dear?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, heavenly. Norbert and I simply flew. Poor Miss +Mansborough--we left her miles behind!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, run away now. Take off your fur jacket--you're too warm.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Good-bye, your Excellency.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal"><i>Au revoir</i>, little Countess. (<span class="sc2">Ellen </span><i> +goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What a little wonder you've made of her!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">She <i>is</i> developing, isn't she?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And my nephew Norbert--you have developed him too. A very +comprehensive piece of work. (<span class="sc2">Beata </span><i>laughs</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">If only he doesn't stray from the path you've marked out for +him.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah--you are thinking of that pamphlet of his?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span> (<i>nods</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">An attack on duelling, I understand? Well, +it's no business of mine.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">He is not as immature as you think.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Indeed?</p> + +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span> (<i>announcing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Baron von Brachtmann, his Highness Prince +Usingen.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">The pillars of the state! Brachtmann especially. This is +something for me to remember, Countess.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Brachtmann </span><i>and </i><span class="sc"> +Prince</span>. <span class="sc">Conrad </span><i>goes out</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Countess----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I am so glad to see you. And you, Prince. Always faithful to +the cause?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, Countess; as far as fidelity is consonant with perfect +inactivity. Glad to shake hands between two rounds, your Excellency.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Our encounters are not sanguinary, your Highness.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No although one adversary occasionally cuts another. (<i>Laughter</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">We ventured to call, Countess, because we fancied that +Völkerlingk would keep you posted as to the news from Lengenfeld.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Baron Völkerlingk has done me no such honour. But--by the +merest accident--his secretary was here just now. Here are the latest returns. (<i>Hands +him the paper</i>.)</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span> (<i>bending over the paper</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">H'm, h'm----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Let me see.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, we'll hope for the best. Kellinghausen's personal +popularity has secured a conservative majority till now; but now that he has +withdrawn in favour of another man--even though that man is Völkerlingk--the +result is more than doubtful.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I confess, Countess, that even if Kellinghausen looked upon +his politics merely as a branch of sport, I don't quite understand his +sacrificing his career to my brother.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My husband is very easy-going. He has no ambition. They had +bothered him dreadfully at their committee-meetings about things he didn't +understand--at least he said he didn't. The truth is, it probably bored him.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But how about his fanatical devotion to the party? If we are +all monomaniacs on that subject, he is certainly the worst. He felt more keenly +than any of us what the party lost in losing your brother (<i>to </i> +<span class="sc2">Baron Ludwig</span>)--he realised our need of Völkerlingk's +efficiency and energy. He saw what a great power was lying idle. Doesn't that +explain his action?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I needn't tell you, Herr von Brachtmann, how pleasant it is to +hear my brother praised. I quite realise how much you need him at this +particular moment with the debate on the civil code pending, and the serious +questions likely to come up in connection with it. (<i>To </i> +<span class="sc2">Beata</span>.) But that Kellinghausen should have consented to +withdraw, even in such an emergency-- I have so often heard him say, Countess, +that it was the duty of a landed proprietor to represent the district in which +his property lay. He said it was the only justification of a representative +government.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But you know you, all say that!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Countess, the revolutionary spirit has entered into +our traditions, and the modern idea of making a revolution is to gird at +existing institutions. Why deprive us of such an innocent amusement?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Really, Prince--pardon me--but since, by birth and political +affiliations, you are a supporter of existing institutions, would it not be well +to speak of them less flippantly?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, my dear Baron?--Countess, shall I show you the attitude +of the modern state toward its citizens? Here we are: the state with its hand in +its pocket, the citizen with his fist clenched. And the only way to unclench the +citizen's fist is for the state to pull something out of its pocket. There's the +situation in a nutshell. It's a matter of taste whether one respects such an +institution or not.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You know. Baron, he is the spoiled child of the party.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Its prodigal son, you mean. I squandered all my original ideas +long ago, and am living on the husks of the feudal tradition. But we are boring +Madame von Kellinghausen. (<i>The three men rise</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Good-bye, Prince--Herr von Brachtmann. (<i>To </i><span class="sc2"> +Baron Ludwig</span>.) Whenever your solitude weighs on you, come in and let me +give you a cup of tea.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You are very good. But I am afraid it is too late to begin.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It is never too late to renew an old friendship.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you. (<i>Goes out with the two other men</i>.) <span class="sc2">Ellen </span><i> +enters</i>.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Throwing her arms about her mother's neck</i>.) Mother! +You dear little mamma!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, madcap--what is it now?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, nothing, nothing. I'm so happy, that's all.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What are you happy about, dear?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I don't know--does one ever?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Has anything in particular happened?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No; nothing. That is--Norbert said-- Oh, yes to be sure; we +met Uncle Richard.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah--where?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the Zoo. On horseback. He sent his love and said he would +be in before dinner. Norbert is coming too. Mother, is it true that Uncle +Richard is such a wonderful speaker? Norbert says he can do what he likes with +people.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Some people--but only those whose thoughts he can turn into +feelings, or whose feelings he can turn into thoughts. Do you understand?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, yes! You mean, one can give only to those who have +something to give in return?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But he must have great power--I am sure of it! He's always so +quiet, and says so little--yet one feels there's a great fire inside--and +sometimes it blazes up.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>laughing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">What do you know about it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, I know. It's just the same with-- Mother, how can people <i> +bear</i> +life sometimes? It's so beautiful one simply can't breathe!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>with emotion</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Yes, it <i>is</i> beautiful. And even when +it's nothing but pain and fear and renunciation, even then it's still beautiful, +Ellen.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span> (<i>alarmed</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Mother--what is the matter?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Nothing, dear. I'm only a little tired. (<i>She goes to the +door</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad </span><i>enters</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Baron Norbert. (<i>Goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span> <i>enters</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">How d'ye do, Aunt Beata? How are you to-day?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>wearily</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Very well, thanks.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span> (<i>anxiously</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">No, not very well. (<span class="sc2">Beata </span><i> +signs her to be silent</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">This is Thursday. Ellen and I were to read <i>I Promessi Sposi</i> +together; but if I might say a word to you first----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Presently, Norbert. Wait for me here.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't you want me, mother?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No, dear. Stay with Norbert. I shall be back in a moment. (<i>She +goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span> (<i>looking after her</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Oh, Norbert!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Is she really worse?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No, she is just the same as usual. But at night--oh, Norbert, +she's never in bed. All night she wanders, wanders. When I hear her coming, I +lie quite still. If she knew I was awake she might not come any more. She never +touches me, but just bends over and strokes my pillow, oh, so softly! And she +breathes so hard, as if it hurt her--and then gradually she grows quiet again. +When you see her in the daytime, so gay and dear and busy, so full of other +people's pleasures, you'd never guess the misery she endures. Oh, Norbert, you <i> +do</i> love her, don't you?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I believe I love her better than my own mother.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No, no, Norbert, that's wicked. You mustn't say that.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps not, but I can't help feeling it. And why shouldn't I, +after all? When I was a boy my father was everything to me--after that he was +always travelling, and I was left to my own devices. There are so many things +that puzzle a chap when there's no one to talk them over with. It's different +with girls, I suppose. At first I used to go to my mother: <i>she's</i> always +found life simple enough. Visits, and parties, and church--she looks upon +church-going as another kind of visiting--well, do you know what <i>she</i> said +to me? "In the first place, my dear boy, your trousers are shocking. What you +need is a good tailor. Then you ought to take up lawn tennis--and after that, +we'll see." Well, that didn't help me much. And then your mother took pity on +me. Again and again she's let me sit up half the night, talking things over with +her.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And now you and she have got something to say to each other +again. What is it, Norbert? Do tell me! Why can't <i>I</i> help you as well as +mother?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps you'd like to do my examination papers for me?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Nonsense; it's not that.--But you don't care for me any more.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You silly child!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You told me you did once--long ago--but since then--you've +never once----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Listen, dear. I made an awful ass of myself that day. Do you +know what I did? I called on your father to ask his permission to marry you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And you never told me?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Luckily your father was out--and as for your mother--well, she +simply laughed at me!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, you know how your mother laughs at one. It doesn't hurt. +"Dear boy," she said, in the kindest way, "it's too soon to talk of such things +to Ellen. You must give her time to grow up." And I gave her my word I would; +and you see I've kept it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And if mother should----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata </span><i>enters</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ellen, dear, go to Miss Mansborough. It's time for your +reading. Norbert will come in a moment.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, mother. (<i>Goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>who has been watching them closely</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">By the way, Norbert--what about that promise +you made me?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I've kept it, Aunt Beata.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then you want to talk to me about something else?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes. The storm-signals are up. My college club has turned on +me: one, two, three, and out you go!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Not in disgrace?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I'm not so sure. I got an official letter yesterday from the +committee, asking me if I was the author of a pamphlet called "The Ordeal."</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why did you write it under an assumed name?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Only on my father's account.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">If you disguised yourself at all, you ought to have done so +more thoroughly.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, Aunt Beata! Haven't you often told me that every reformer +must have the courage of his convictions?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes; but I've no sympathy with unnecessary martyrdom. Keep a +cool head, dear boy, and don't be drawn into controversy just yet. Haven't I +often told you that this college duelling you rail against is only a preparation +for the real battle of life--the battle of ideas and beliefs? You'll come to +that later--ask your father how it is!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, father--of course he's only interested in big things.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What does he say to your article?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Immature.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Was he vexed?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">When I asked him if it annoyed him, he laughed and said:--"I +know the world too well to agree with you. But you must work out the problem for +yourself. I sha'n't interfere."</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, what more do you want? Did you expect him to go into +raptures?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wait and see, Aunt Beata! I mean to suffer for my convictions. +I mean to brave persecution. Is that a laughing matter?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Come! Come! No bragging--not even about persecution. It's +intoxicating at first, but the after-taste is bitter.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't make fun of me, Aunt Beata.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Heaven forbid! You know <i>I</i> don't disapprove of your +article.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">How could you? Isn't it all yours?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I don't understand anything about duelling.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No, but my ideas are yours--every one of them. All I've said +about self-restraint--about striving toward an harmonious whole--about the Greek +ideal of freedom--and how posterity will smile at our struggles--it's all yours, +Aunt Beata, every word of it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't tell your father! And besides, it isn't. My ideas have +got twisted in that wild young brain of yours. And it might annoy him to think +that I had put them there----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, Aunt Beata, <i>I</i> know what you really think. But, of +course, if you don't want me to, I----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span> (<i>announcing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Baron Völkerlingk.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Richard</span>. <span class="sc">Conrad </span><i>goes out</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, dear friend? What sort of a night have you had? Not +good, I'm afraid.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There's no use in trying to deceive you. Have you just come +from your own house?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well? Telegrams?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">None for the last two hours. Well, Norbert, you here, as +usual? (<i>To </i><span class="sc2">Beata</span>.) So you have the younger generation on your hands +too?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>laughing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">So much the better, since the older shows +itself so seldom nowadays.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah, well----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Good-bye, Norbert dear.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span> (<i>kissing </i><span class="sc2">Beata's </span><i> +hand</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Good-bye, father. (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i> +nods to him</i>. <span class="sc2">Norbert</span> goes out.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Will you dine with me to-day, Richard? (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i> +shakes his head</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Just we two?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I can't: my wife has a dinner: an ambassador and his wife, two +lights of the Church, and others of the same feather. I must show myself on such +occasions, to keep up appearances.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I'm sorry. I should have liked to have you with me--to-day. +How do you stand the suspense? Perhaps I don't show it--but I'm in a fever.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It's telling on me too. The fact is, any poor devil of a +mountebank is a king compared to one of us. He does his trick and gets his +pay.--Oh, this last fortnight! If you'd seen me driven about from village to +village like a travelling quack! Freedom and hot words, free beer and hot +sausages! And, to cap the climax, a fellow who used to be my private secretary +leading the campaign against me! Bah--it was horrible. As for Michael, with his +Olympian calm, he saw only the humorous side of it. (<i>Laughing</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I wonder he let you leave before the election.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">He thought I ought not to make myself too cheap. I quite +agreed with him, and took myself off. Hang the democracy!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">If only the noblemen who want to rule could get on without it!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">They could, if the spirit of the age hadn't turned them into +demagogues.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Did Holtzmann do as well as you expected?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Admirably. But he's been going about with such a long face +lately that he's rather got on my nerves.--I heard you had told him to come back +when the returns are in--may I wait for him here?--When one thinks that +something will come in at that door presently--something dressed like Holtzmann, +looking like Holtzmann--and that that something will be Fate--nothing more or +less than Fate!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And if he comes in and says--or rather, if he doesn't say +anything? Remember, Richard, even if <i>that</i> happens, you've got to go on +living!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Of course. Why not? It's all in the day's work. An Indian +penitent was once asked: "Why do you go on living?" And his answer was: "Because +I am dead."--Oh, I don't mean to be ungrateful. As long as I have you, dear--as +long as you are here to live my life with me, to give it colour and meaning and +purpose--let come what may, nothing else matters.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't say that--don't----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Am I exaggerating? Why, ever since we-- How long ago is it +that we met for the first time, in the wood at Tarasp? Fifteen years?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It seems like yesterday.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You passed between the dark pine-trunks like an apparition. +You wore a pink dress and had Ellen by the hand.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">She was tired and had begun to cry.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I saw that she wanted to be carried.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And I was just recovering from an illness, and was too weak to +lift her. You raised your hat--no, it was the white cap you wore----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Do you remember that?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Good heavens, what was I then, and what have you made of me? +My own--let me call you that just once, Richard, as I used to do--just once, on +this great day--my own! (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>looks nervously +toward the door</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There is no one coming.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal"><i>Let</i> you!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What a quiet happy little woman I was! That "happy" is not +meant as a reproach, dearest! I have a boundless capacity for happiness, and it +kept me company even in the loneliness of my early married life--for in those +days Michael didn't take much notice of me. It was you who showed him that I was +worth noticing. And so you built up my new life--a hard life to carry, at times, +a life bowed under its own wealth as the vine is bowed under its fruit--but how +it has grown under your hand, dearest, how it has spread and strengthened!--Now +you're laughing at me, Richard.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata--no one knows as you do how I have blundered and +struggled. What are you trying to do? Do you want to give me more faith in +myself, or do you really think I've done all that for you?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I know every line in your forehead, I watch every look in your +eye, I read every thought in your soul--there are some I could wish away, for +they only make you miserable--but no one knows as I do what you are, and what +you have been to me!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">When will Michael be here?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">How suddenly you ask that! You are tormenting yourself again. +Dear--dearest--don't look like that! Why, it never really happened--it's been +dead and buried for years--dead and buried, every trace of it. No one knows what +we were to each other, no one even dreams it. And we're old people now--you and +I. Only think, I shall soon be forty! Who is going to ask two old mummies what +follies they committed in the year one?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You are pretending not to care, Beata. Don't do that!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't weigh every word I say--just look into my wicked heart. +Your conscience has nothing to do with that! And if you're fond of Michael--if +we're both fond of him--and why shouldn't we both be fond of him--that dear, +good, cheery Michael of ours?--why, that needn't make you probe the depths of +your soul for fresh wickedness. I tell you we've paid for everything, even to +the uttermost farthing!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Do you think so? It seems to me that when a man and a woman +have found everything in each other, as we have, when they have been to each +other the strength and the meaning and the object of life--when they've resolved +to die fighting back to back, together to the last, as you used to say it seems +to me that in such a case there isn't much room for expiation. If Purgatory is +like that it must be fairly habitable. (<span class="sc2">Beata </span><i>laughs</i>.) +Ah, now you are flippant.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Be thankful that one of us is, dear!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I remember when I lost my seat, six years ago--it was a hard +knock, I can tell you--everything went under at once--well, I said to myself: +This is my punishment. And the idea never left me. While I was wandering about +the world, or vegetating down in the country, I actually used to get a kind of +comfort out of it. And now? Do you know, I sometimes fancy you wouldn't be +altogether sorry if I lost my election again.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>laughingly</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Really? Do you think that?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">In fact I'm not at all sure you hold with the party any +longer.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What--I, its Egeria? An elderly party-nymph gone wrong? What a +shocking idea!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I'm sure of one thing you enjoy looking over our heads.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't say <i>our</i> heads--don't include yourself with the +rest. You think of your duty; they think of their rights. You use the masses in +order to serve them. The others think only of power.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, as to that--we all want power.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes: the question is, for whose benefit?--Ah, well, I see I +shall have to tell you--you ought to know--the sooner the better, I suppose!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Tell me what?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Dear--did you really think it was Michael's fondest wish to +resign his seat in Parliament, and live only for his horses?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I've heard him say so often enough.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And so you leaped into the breach--in the interests of the +party?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>hesitating</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">And because--(<i>suddenly</i>) +Beata--there's been some deception? (<span class="sc2">Beata </span> +<i>nods</i>.) Some one has been working against me----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Or for you--as you please.--Sit down beside me, dear; give me +both your hands--so! And now listen. I couldn't bear to see your +disappointment--your suffering--I suffered with you too intensely! And so--don't +look so startled, or I shall lose heart and be afraid to go on.--How shall I +tell you?--It's taken me a year a whole year's work. By degrees I persuaded him +that he was unsuited to Parliamentary life--gradually I turned him against the +pottering routine-work which is the only thing he can do--little by little I +made him see what a boon it would be for the country and the party if he would +only let you take his place. Till at last he did----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>rising</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Ah----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Can you say <i>now</i> that I didn't want you elected? (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i> +is silent</i>.) I should never have told you this if I hadn't known that his +pride in his heroic feat would make him betray himself sooner or later. (<i>A +pause</i>.) After all, think how little he's given up! To him it was only +a--pastime--to you it is life. I had no choice, had I? You do see that, don't +you? (<i>A pause</i>.) Richard, I may be a very wicked woman, but at least I +deserve one look from you!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata! Beata! What can I say? What can I say? You know how +I've always tried to keep our feeling for each other within the bounds--the +bounds of-- You know how it was twelve years ago--when I found myself gradually +slipping into intimacy with him, I came to you and said: "Either this thing ends +here, or I tell him everything. I won't take his hand and play the sneak. If I +do, we shall lose our respect for each other as well as our self-respect." And +then we hit on this friendship as a way out of it--a way of not losing each +other altogether. It wasn't a very honourable solution--but this--this new +sacrifice--if I accept this--God! If Holtzmann were to come in now and tell me +the other man has won, what a load he would take off my mind!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard--how can you?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Think of it: To-morrow I shall have to make that speech. My +position, my convictions, compel me to appear as the spokesman of the highest +ideals--and all the while I shall owe my seat to the friend whose holiest ties I +have trampled on----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And if they were not the holiest----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>startled</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Beata!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't turn from me. I've loved you so long!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>clasps her hands</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">One thing more. Listen to me. You played too +reckless a game. Such things are avenged. No one knows what happened in the +past. Twelve years have covered it; but it's ill disturbing the dead. Such +things are avenged. Remember that.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well--and what of it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What of it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I shouldn't care--except for Norbert and Ellen. For I mean +them to have all the happiness we have missed. Nothing must ever come between-- +Hush! That is Holtzmann's voice. (<i>She presses her left hand to her heart</i>.) +Quite steady. (<i>She holds out her right hand to </i><span class="sc2">Richard</span>.) Feel my pulse +it's perfectly steady.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad </span><i>enters</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Holtzmann----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>. <span class="sc">Conrad </span><i> +goes out</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span> (<i>bowing quietly</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">We have a majority of twenty votes, Baron. Here are the final +returns. (<i>Hands telegram to </i><span class="sc2">Richard</span>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Official?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Virtually. As your co-worker, Baron, allow me to offer my +congratulations. (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>turns away without speaking</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You see how overcome he is, dear Herr Holtzmann. Thank you +with all my heart. (<i>Gives him her hand</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span> (<i>turning to leave the room</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Good-afternoon, Countess.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Holtzmann! (<span class="sc2">Holtzmann </span><i>pauses</i>.) +You've fought a good fight.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, as to that----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you. (<i>Shakes his hand</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't mention it. I did my duty, that's all. (<i>Bows and goes +out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard! Isn't the struggle over yet?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It may not be as hard as you imagine.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps not. But when the blow falls--if it falls----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">We'll laugh----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And meanwhile----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">We'll live! (<i>They clasp each other's hands</i>.)</p> +<br> +<br> +<h3>Curtain.</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>ACT II</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>ACT II</h2> +<br> +<br> +<p class="normal"><i>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 minutes </i><span class="sc2">Beata </span><i>is seen among them</i>. +<span class="sc2">Brachtmann</span>, <span class="sc2">Prince Usingen </span><i>and </i><span class="sc2">von Berkelwitz-Grünhof </span> +<i>are just coming out of the billiard-room, talking together.</i></p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Coming forward with </i><span class="sc2">Usingen</span>.) +Prince, I want a word with you later--an important matter.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And I want a word with you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the same subject, probably.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span> (<i>looking about him</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Deuced fine--magnificent! You've got to come up to town to see +this kind of thing.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">How is it we never see you in the Reichstag nowadays, my dear +fellow?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage">von Berkelwitz.</p> + +<p class="normal">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. <i>He</i> +doesn'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!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span> (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Brachtmann</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">And these are the sources of German statesmanship!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What did you say, Prince?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Nothing, nothing.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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--<i>that's</i> the cure. And they <i>ought</i> to, 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!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span> (<i>who has been studying the pictures</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">You ought to ask the Socialists that, Herr von Berkelwitz--ask +it in the Reichstag, you know. It would be rather effective. (<i>Turns back to +the pictures</i>.) A capital Sustermans.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span> (<i>smiling</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">After all, we're all looking out for ourselves.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Who is turning over photograph-albums on the table</i>.) +Other people's pockets.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span> (<i>laughing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Prince--Prince!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>In a low tone, to </i><span class="sc2">Brachtmann</span>.) +I say, is that fellow making fun of us?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">He's ten times more of a Conservative than either of us.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">He talks like a Radical.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span> (<i>in a startled tone</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, the devil!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What's the matter?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Isn't this the Countess's writing-table?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Come here a moment, will you, and just glance discreetly over +these papers. Do you notice anything? (<span class="sc2">Brachtmann </span><i> +shrugs his shoulders</i>.) I mean among the newspapers.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span> (<i>in a low voice, much agitated</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">The devil!--That was what I wanted to speak to you about. (<i>He +points to one of the papers</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah--they've sent you one too?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Taking up the paper and looking at the wrapper</i>.) Do +you know, I've half a mind----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No, no, Prince--can't be done.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What the deuce----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, instead of putting our hands into other people's pockets, +we might put other people's property into ours.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Prince, we all know your way----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">If your Highness has made yourself sufficiently witty at our +expense, perhaps you'll explain what this is? (<i>Pointing to the paper</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">This, my dear Herr von Berkelwitz, is a copy of the +"Lengenfeld News," the Socialist organ----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Faugh! How can you touch it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, it touches <i>us</i>, and rather nearly, as you'll see.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, what's up?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Taking a newspaper out of his pocket</i>.) Look here----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">That's the same as the other?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span> (<i>reading</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">"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!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Go on.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span> (<i>reading</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">"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. (<span class="sc2">Brachtmann </span><i>nods +affirmatively</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And the friend--the friend who----? (<i>He breaks off, and +points vaguely to the room</i>. <span class="sc2">Brachtmann </span><i>nods again</i>.) +The deuce!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">On account of the party I suppose we shall have to take some +notice of this.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Kellinghausen evidently doesn't know of it yet. But +Völkerlingk does. I watched him.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Countess is not well. Who is the proper person to take +that paper away before she sees it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span> (<i>smiling</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, frankly, I should say Völkerlingk----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You don't mean----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span> (<i>still smiling</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I don't mean anything.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Morals? Morals? What do morals signify? They were only +invented for the preservation of the race.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">That's over my head, your Highness.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I'll be hanged if I understand a single word.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">We all know the old families wouldn't have survived till now +if the stock hadn't been renewed--surreptitiously, so to speak--by----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Really, Prince--really----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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 at <i>me</i>. +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?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Prince, von Berkelwitz is right. As long as we're in the house +ourselves, we'll postpone any discussion of its inmates.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">As you please. (<span class="sc2">Richard Völkerlingk </span><i> +is seen approaching. The </i><span class="sc2">Prince </span> +<i>glances toward him</i>.) Which won't prevent my feeling the sincerest +sympathy for our friend there. His phenomenal self-possession is enough to +confirm my suspicions.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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. (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>bows</i>.) I suppose +we may count on your speaking on the Divorce Bill next Friday?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>hesitating</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Why--I had hardly expected----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But I hardly know if I should have time to get my facts +together. And besides-- (<i>He draws </i><span class="sc2">Brachtmann </span><i> +aside and continues in a low tone</i>.) 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----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah--Meixner was your secretary?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You knew of this?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thanks, Brachtmann. I believe you're right. My refusal might +be misinterpreted.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span> (<i>turning toward the others</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">We were speaking of this when you joined us. We have all +received copies of the paper.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>to the group</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And Madame von Völkerlingk?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My wife? Why do you ask?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Look at this. (<i>Leads </i><span class="sc2">Richard </span><i> +to the writing-table and points to the paper</i>. <span class="sc2">Richard </span><i> +starts, but controls himself instantly</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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, if <i>you</i>, +my dear Baron--as an old friend of the family--knowing how important it is to +spare her any excitement----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>looking at him sharply</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">There is only one person entitled to remove that paper, and +that is Count Kellinghausen. I will speak to him at once.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span> (<i>aside</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Irreproachable!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Völkerlingk, for heaven's sake leave Kellinghausen out +of the question!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">How can I?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And suppose I agree to that what becomes of this paper? (<i>Pointing +to the writing-table</i>.) What if the Countess finds it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gentlemen, I'm only a plain country squire, and I haven't your +refinements of conscience. (<i>He takes the paper, tears it up and throws it +into the wastepaper basket</i>. <span class="sc2">Brachtmann </span><i>and the </i><span class="sc2">Prince </span><i>laugh</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">von Berkelwitz</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">After which act of felony I suppose I had better make my +escape. (<i>Shakes hands with the others and goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then it's understood that, in the interests of the party, you +will----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">'Sh. Here is our host.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen </span><i>enters</i>.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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. (<i>To the others</i>.) I haven't had a +chance to say two words to him yet.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Brachtmann, shall we----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No, no; don't run off. Richard and I have no secrets. Let us +take possession of this quiet corner. (<i>To </i><span class="sc2">Conrad</span>, <i> +who is passing with a tray of refreshments</i>.) Conrad, what have you got +there? Lion brew from the wood, eh?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, your Excellency.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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 being <i>their</i> dear 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!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">We shall miss your cheerful view of life, my dear +Kellinghausen.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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? (<i>The others +look up quickly</i>.) Wasn't he your secretary at one time?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">How long ago?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It must be ten or twelve years.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, he has certainly profited by the training you gave him. +He's raving against you like a madman.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Did you happen to run across him?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Heaven forbid!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Did you hear what he said?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I wish I knew how to thank you, Michael----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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? (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>nods</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah, indeed--your son wrote----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I say, Richard, you give him a long rein, don't you?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Michael, the chief thing I have to thank my father for +is that he gave <i>me</i> one. I vowed long ago that Norbert should have as much +freedom as I had.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, we shall have to take the young scamp in hand before +long.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I wish you would. I should like to know who has put him up to +this. He won't tell me.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Beata</span>, <i>with </i><span class="sc"> +Baron Ludwig von Völkerlingk</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">May we join you? Don't let us break up your party.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Advancing toward the other men</i>.) Will you allow me?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Michael</span>, <i> +in a low tone</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, are you enjoying yourself?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Immensely, dear, immensely.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Did you like the way I arranged the seats at table?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">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?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">That is what I've come for. (<i>To </i><span class="sc2"> +Richard</span>.) My dear Völkerlingk, I want to speak to you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>To </i><span class="sc2">Richard</span>, <i>as he +approaches</i>.) Mind you obey orders, now! (<i>Joins the others</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I am glad you are not too tired, Beata.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I've been growing stronger every day since the elections. But +you must take some notice of Leonie, Richard. She is saying things.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Let her. It's her specialty.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Every one knows that she never comes here, and her being here +to-night is making people talk.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Approaching his brother, evidently at </i><span class="sc2"> +Kellinghausen's </span> +<i>instigation</i>.) Ah, here are the two friends talking together.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Looking from one brother to the other</i>.) And the two +enemies, too--thank heaven!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Countess is right, Richard. It was foolish of us not to +speak to each other.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Ludwig, perhaps we hadn't enough to say.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Or too much!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Possibly. (<i>To </i><span class="sc2">Beata</span>.) But, +Countess----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>turning to join the others</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">No, no. I am going to leave you two together. (<i>She moves +away</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why do you look at her so strangely?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Strangely? What do you mean?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You begrudge me this friendship, Ludwig.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Do I? Perhaps. You must remember that I am very lonely. I had +hoped that your house might----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My house? With Leonie----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes--your friend is different from Leonie.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You needn't envy me, Ludwig. My friend is a dying woman. Every +day I ask myself if I shall ever see her again.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Richard, the woman lives in a thousand energies. She +will survive us both.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">God grant it!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But--be on your guard.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What do you mean?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Glancing at </i><span class="sc2">Kellinghausen</span>.) +Can we find a quiet corner somewhere? (<i>He takes </i><span class="sc2"> +Richard's </span><i>arm and they go toward the other room</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Leonie</span>, <i>on </i><span class="sc"> +Norbert's </span><i>arm</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span> (<i>meeting the brothers</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">What a touching spectacle! Look, Norbert!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't detain us, Leonie. We're going to have our photograph +taken. (<i>He and </i><span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>go out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span> (<i>advancing toward the front</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">How enchanting! And Beata as the angel of peace! Quite a new +rôle for you, isn't it, dear? But you're <i>so</i> versatile!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Dear Leonie, find fault with me when I sow discord, but praise +me when I make peace.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Do you care so much for praise?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't you?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, no one ever praises me. I suppose I don't know how to play +my cards. Norbert, please have the carriage called.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Very well, mother. (<i>Goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah, Prince--good-evening! (<i>He kisses her hand</i>.) How is +it we never see you at our missionary meetings? Her Royal Highness wished me to +say that she counts on your help. Isn't that flattering? (<i>To the others</i>.) +The Prince is one of us, you know. He serves the cause of religion +faithfully----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And in poverty of spirit. That's my special merit, you know, +Baroness.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span> (<i>aside to the </i><span class="sc2"> +Prince</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">You reprobate!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But pray don't let me disturb you, for I must really be off. +My carriage is waiting, and my coachman is so cross. We're all the slaves of our +carriages. (<i>To </i><span class="sc2">Kellinghausen</span>.) It has been so +delightful--dear Beata is such a wonderful hostess. Our great stateswoman knows +so well how to keep her party in hand. Willingly or unwillingly, she makes them +all come into line; don't you, Beata, dear?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I'm afraid you are among the unwilling to-night, Leonie.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, I'm not as adaptable as some of your friends.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span> (<i>aside to the </i><span class="sc2"> +Prince</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Do you hear those amenities?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span> (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Brachtmann</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness is dispensing Christian charity sprinkled with +arsenic. Let's efface ourselves. (<i>They move quietly into the background</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>To </i><span class="sc2">Kellinghausen</span>, <i>with whom +she has been talking</i>.) No, no, my dear Count you mustn't think of it. +Norbert will put me in my carriage. And meanwhile, I want to have a little chat +with dear Beata. We always have so many things to say to each other.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>kissing her hand</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">At your orders, my dear friend. I'll draw the curtain to +protect your +<i>tęte-ŕ-tęte</i>. (<i>He draws the curtain between the columns and goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">How wonderfully well you look to-night, Beata! Not in the least like a +prospective grandmother.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, as to that, Leonie, it looks as though you and I were to +be made grandmothers on the same day.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah, really? Well, Ellen is a delightful child. Where is she, +by the way? You don't seem to care to let her be seen in your neighbourhood on +such occasions.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Seen? In my neighbourhood? You have an odd way of putting +things. But I believe you had something to say to me.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I know I oughtn't to keep you from your other guests, but it's +such a pleasure to have you to myself. I wonder what has become of Norbert?--I +must say, Beata, I can't help admiring your self-possession. I don't see how you +can be so unconcerned.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What should I be concerned about?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, you don't mean--? I should almost think you-- But I don't +know how to express myself. It's so very painful.--There are such dreadful +people in the world.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Are there?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">This former secretary of Richard's, for instance, who has made +such a shocking speech against him. You've received a copy, of course?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Not that I know of.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span> (<i>drawing a paper from her pocket</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah--I brought mine with me. Perhaps it might interest you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Not in the least, my dear.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You are mentioned in it, too.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>smiling</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Really?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Only between the lines, of course.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Between the lines? What do you mean?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">This is the paragraph; the one marked with a blue pencil. +Don't be horrified. It will make you laugh, of course. I laughed over it myself. +(<span class="sc2">Beata </span><i>takes the paper, looking firmly at </i><span class="sc2">Leonie </span><i>as she does so. She +reads the paper, throws it aside, and looks at </i><span class="sc2">Leonie </span><i>again, without +speaking</i>.) Good heavens, how pale you are! I didn't realise-- Shall I get +you a glass of water?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No, thanks. (<i>Controlling herself with an effort</i>.) Does +Richard know of this?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, yes. Doesn't Michael?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Certainly not.--He would have-- Will you let me have this +paper?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">To show Michael?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Naturally. In a matter involving his honour----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You don't mean to make a scandal?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What do you call a scandal? Haven't you made one in bringing +me this?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I mean that your husband might----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My husband will do as he sees fit.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You are very sure of yourself.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Leonie, remember that you are in my house.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Beata, we are always in each other's houses; we can't +meet at the street corners, like servants.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You are right. Say what you were going to say.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, I have held my tongue so long!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why have you, if you had anything to say?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Listen, Beata. I am not going to discuss the relations between +my husband and yourself. It's a subject that no longer interests me. But it was +you who took him away from me, and when I found you had taken him, I turned to +my boy instead. Then you took him too. Now I have nothing left--nothing but my +position in society, which I have built up slowly, year by year, by my own +efforts, as you know. I am in the Princess Agnes's most intimate set, I am +patroness of--but all this doesn't interest you. But how have I accomplished it? +Simply by keeping my eyes shut and appearing to sanction your friendship with +Richard.--And now, if you persist in dragging your husband in, there will be a +scandal, and I shall have to sue for a divorce; and that will be excessively +unpleasant for us all. Don't you agree with me?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I might say so many things in reply.--In the first place, +whatever I have taken was never really yours.--But no matter. I will only ask +you one thing: have you thought of Ellen and Norbert?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, Ellen and Norbert! I've no objection to the match, none +whatever--but it's <i>your</i> scheme, not mine, and you can't expect me to be +particularly enthusiastic about it. But I should think it would be one more +reason for <i>you</i> to keep quiet.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then--if you don't mean to do anything--why did you bring me +this?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span> (<i>with irrepressible triumph</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Why did I bring it? Because I--(<i>relapses into her usual +amiability</i>)--I thought it might interest you, and you see I was not +mistaken. Ah, here comes Norbert!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I'm sorry to have kept you, mother. The carriage was-- (<i>Startled</i>.) +Why, Aunt Beata, what's the matter?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>making an effort to smile</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Nothing, Norbert, dear.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, good-bye, Beata. Do be careful of yourself! I should be +so sorry to think I had done anything to excite you. Come, Norbert, you must put +me in the carriage, and then you can come back to your dear aunt.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I beg your pardon, mother, but I think Aunt Beata needs me +now. If you'll wait for me a moment downstairs----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Leonie</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What did I say? I congratulate you, Beata! (<i>She goes out +alone</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What has she been saying to you?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, she was right--so right!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span> (<i>alarmed</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Aunt Beata!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>with an effort</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Norbert--my son--take me to Ellen. In a few minutes I shall be +quite----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Come, come-- (<i>Leads her gently out. Sounds of talk and +laughter come from the inner room</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Putting his head through the curtains</i>.) Ha! No one +there? Have our wives made way with each other? (<i>To </i><span class="sc2"> +Richard</span>, <i>who has followed him</i>.) They're not so deuced fond of one +another. I say, old man, just now, when I was talking about the elections, why +did you all put on that air of statesmanlike reserve? Did I say anything out of +the way?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What an absurd idea!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">One is always liable to make an ass of one's self. I'm not +conscious of having blundered, but--oh, well, I sha'n't get anything out of you. +(<i>Raising the curtain and calling out</i>--) Brachtmann--Usingen--come here a +moment.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael, if you take my advice we'll drop the election for the +present. I give you my word that if anything occurs that reflects on you----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">On me? Reflects on me? What on earth do you mean? I'm thinking +of the party. Our business is to look out for the party.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Brachtmann </span><i>and the </i><span class="sc"> +Prince</span>, <i>followed a moment or two later by </i><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hear, hear! But what are you talking about?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Norbert</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Aha, young man, where have you come from? Tea in the school-room, eh?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Aunt Beata was not very well, Uncle Michael. (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i> +starts</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">She is feeling better now. She will be here in a few minutes.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">That's good--that's good. By the way, Master Norbert, we're +going to put you through your paces. How about this so-called "Ordeal," eh? Do +you own up to it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I'm proud to, Uncle. At least, no--not so very proud; for I've +found out lately that it's all been said before, a thousand times better than +I've said it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And also by a member of the Conservative party?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well--no--not exactly.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah--but that's the point.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I beg your pardon, Herr von Brachtmann, I thought truth was +truth, no matter who uttered it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What is truth? said Pilate.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And washed his hands. We also wash our hands of many things, +your Highness. I have even heard it said that the use of soap and water is the +only thing that distinguishes us from the masses. But no matter how much washing +we do, we can't wash off the blood we have shed in the abuse of our +class-privileges.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span> (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Richard</span>). +Very neatly parried. He has a good wrist.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Norbert, will you give your venerable parent a +hearing? We have left far behind us many of what you call our +"class-privileges"; but their traditional spirit still survives. And that +spirit, whether the modern world condemns it, or the middle-classes make it +ridiculous by aping it--that spirit is the safeguard of our order. Believe me, +Norbert, we must stand or fall by it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then we must fall, father.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Possibly--even probably. But meanwhile the one distinction we +have left is the right to dispose of our lives. When a nobleman of the Italian +Renaissance, or a young blade of the court of Louis XIII., crossed the threshold +of his house, he was never sure of re-entering it alive. That was what gave him +his audacity, his splendid indifference to danger. Today we no longer stake our +lives so lightly; but the fact that they are ours to stake still gives its +keenest edge to living.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">The Others</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hear! Hear!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear father, you have given us an admirable explanation of +the personal view of death. But life is not a personal matter at all. You have +said so often enough. Our lives belong to the ideals for which we fight, they +belong to the state or to the race----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And how about our personal sense of honour? What of that, +Norbert? Are we to be forbidden to defend with our lives the few things we hold +sacred on earth? May we no longer fall upon the scoundrel who assails them? You +will hardly convince us of that, Norbert.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then again, Norbert, there may be cases--you are too young to +have foreseen them, but they exist--where an honourable man may have done +irreparable injury to another's honour. If he admits his guilt, and satisfaction +is demanded of him, what is he to do? Is he to run away, or to shelter himself +behind the law? The law, which was made to protect the honour of serfs! Should +you expect that of him, Norbert?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">If your man of honour admits his guilt, and is ready to pay +the penalty, let him be his own judge.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">H'm----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But I beg your pardon, father; that is hardly the point. It +was all very well for the aristocracy to make its own laws when it had the power +to enforce them; but what is to become of its precious "class-privileges" when +the modern world laughs at them and the mob refuses to recognise them? When that +day comes, I don't see what we can do but take shelter behind the law.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I don't understand you, Norbert. Give us an instance.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Nothing easier, Uncle Michael. What do you propose to do with +the scoundrel who has been insulting you in his electioneering speeches? (<i>There +is a startled movement among his listeners</i>.) You don't mean to challenge <i> +him</i>, I suppose?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What do you----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Unless you treat the whole matter with silent contempt and I +fancy you'll hardly do that it seems to me that a libel suit is the only +alternative.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Norbert--are you dreaming--or----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why--Uncle Michael--didn't you know?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal"><i>Now</i> you've done it, young man!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Do any of you know what he's driving at?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard, what does this mean? What is going on behind my back? +You call yourself my friend--why have you kept me in the dark?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>very quietly</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">In the first place, dear Michael, we only heard of the +business an hour or two ago; in the second place (<i>as he speaks</i>, <span class="sc2"> +Beata </span><i>enters from behind</i>), I am mixed up in it myself.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You? In a slander that concerns me? (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i> +nods without speaking</i>.) Then there was all the more reason----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Kellinghausen, the fault is mine. For the sake of the +party, I asked Völkerlingk not to--</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span> (<i>suddenly noticing </i><span class="sc2"> +Beata</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">H'm. Perhaps we had better-- (<i>he advances toward </i><span class="sc2"> +Beata</span>). My dear Countess----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata </span><i>enters quietly</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't be afraid. I know what you are speaking of. I know all +about it. Michael, if these gentlemen would allow us to talk the matter over by +ourselves----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you, my dear. But I think you had better keep out of it. +Richard--Brachtmann--if you'll come to my study---- (<i>They both assent</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>approaching </i><span class="sc2">Beata</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I will say good-night, Countess.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Good-night, my dear Völkerlingk. (<i>Rapidly, in a low voice, +as he bends above her hand</i>.) Does he know?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>in the same tone</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Not yet.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>aloud, with conventional cordiality</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I shall see you to-morrow? (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i> +bows, and follows the other men toward the door</i>.)</p> +<br> +<br> +<h3>Curtain.</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br><h1>ACT III</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>ACT III</h2> +<br> +<br> +<p class="normal"><i>The same scene: in the afternoon</i>. <span class="sc2"> +Holtzmann </span><i>is waiting. Enter </i><span class="sc2">Kellinghausen </span><i>in hat and fur-lined coat</i>.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah, Holtzmann--this is very good of you. I'm extremely obliged +to you for coming. (<i>Shakes hands with him</i>.) Sorry to have kept you +waiting. (<i>Takes off his hat and coat</i>.) Sit down--sit down.--That +is,--perhaps we'd better-- Oh, well, my wife's not likely to come in just +now.--A cigarette?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thanks. I don't smoke.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>lighting a cigarette</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">You remember Meixner the fellow who gave us such a lot of +trouble during the elections? I believe you and he have crossed swords once or +twice in public; and didn't you tell me that you knew him personally? When was +it that you ran across him?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was only one inn in the village, and his room and mine +were on the same landing. The meeting was over at eleven, and I went to bed soon +after. About midnight in walks Meixner, as cool as you please, and sits down on +my bed. "We haven't finished that argument yet. Let's have it out now," he said. +And there he sat till six in the morning.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Takes a copy of the</i> "<i>Lengenfeld News</i>" <i>out of +his pocket and glances at it</i>.) Did that happen before or after the twelfth +of January?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It happened before he made that speech.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>startled</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">What? You knew----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why--naturally.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Holtzmann, we were in the train together for hours. We +drove together for miles. I have always treated you as a friend. Why did you +never speak of this? (<span class="sc2">Holtzmann </span><i>remains silent</i>.) +Let me tell you one thing: you can't put me off with a shrug. If you think you +can, you don't know me.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I beg your pardon, Count Kellinghausen--but I must remind you +that I am not in your service.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Herr Holtzmann, you are known as one of the most +zealous supporters of our party. Probably you attach some importance to that +fact. Your silence in this matter surprises me, and I shall not fail to draw my +own conclusions.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span> (<i>rising</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">You must draw what conclusions you please, sir. Personally I +have nothing to gain by serving your party. I might have a living at any moment, +and if I have preferred, for the present, to devote myself to politics, it was +only because I thought I could be of use to the cause.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>after a pause</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I have offended you. You must make allowances for my +excitement--this business has unnerved me. (<i>Holds out his hand</i>.) Sit down +again and let me ask you a question. Has this Meixner any recognised standing in +his party, or is he merely a hanger-on?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">He must have a certain standing, since he is their candidate +for the next election.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ha! ha! A nice lot they are! Well, the gentleman has given us +his measure by sending copies of this paper to the wives of the men he attacks.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">If he has done that, sir, can you guess his reasons?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No. Can you?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I'm sorry, sir--but I can't say anything more just now.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>rising</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Good-day, then, Herr Holtzmann.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My respects to you, sir. (<i>Goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>giving way to his rage</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Hounds! Brigands! Damn them! All tarred with the same +brush----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata </span><i>enters</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>quietly</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Flying into a passion won't mend matters, Michael.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And I can't make you out, either. Here they are, throwing mud +at us--calling you I won't say what--and you stand there like--like--Haven't you +got any blood in your veins? Don't you realise what it all means?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I haven't much strength to spare, and I have to economise my +emotions.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Good God--how white you are! Don't mind me--I'll pull myself +together. We won't talk of the damned thing any more.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It will be the first time in twenty years that we haven't +talked over what you had on your mind.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I wish to heaven I'd never told you of it. The devil take +Leonie! She can't hold her cursed meddling tongue; Richard ought to muzzle her. +By the way, it's strange he hasn't shown himself to-day.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I have had a note from him. He asked me to tell you that he is +deep in his speech. He is coming as soon as he has a moment to spare.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There you are again! Just when the man needs a clear head for +the great work that's before him, he finds himself involved in this filthy-- Ah, +well, I'll have the dogs by the throat yet! I'll have them howling for mercy!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Do calm yourself, Michael. Look--your face is all on fire. You +know it's bad for you to excite yourself.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There, there--I'm quiet again. Don't I always do what you tell +me? Ah, if I hadn't had <i>you</i> all these years, the Lord knows what would +have become of me!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then, on the whole, I've been--satisfactory?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>laughing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">That sounds as if you were asking for a reference.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps I am. I want to have one to show in case of need.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And when do you expect to need it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Who knows?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span> (<i>announcing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Baron Brachtmann.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Beata</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Do you wish to see him?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>. <span class="sc">Conrad </span><i> +goes out</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Bows to </i><span class="sc2">Kellinghausen </span><i>and +kisses </i><span class="sc2">Beata's </span><i>hand</i>.) I am sorry we were not +on our guard yesterday, Countess. Even if you had to know of this stupid +business, you needn't have heard of it till it had blown over.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't reproach yourself, Baron. I should have been sorry to +miss such a chance of enlarging my knowledge of human nature.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, at all events, I beg of you both not to take it too +seriously. And as for you, my dear Kellinghausen, I say again as I've said +before: for God's sake, keep out of the courts.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, my dear man, haven't I been accused of arson and forgery? +Haven't I been charged with bribing my constituents to perjure themselves--not +to speak of my dodging my taxes, and other sleight-of-hand performances? That's +merely the political way of poking fun.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">H'm--your digestion must be stronger than mine. But those +charges concerned no one but yourself; if I stood alone in this business, I +might see the humour of it. But let them beware how they attack my family! +Besides, I've taken steps already----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What have you done?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I got hold of my counsel this morning. He has made out a +retraction which the scoundrel is to sign. If he won't sign it, we'll take other +means. He is to be at my lawyer's at three o'clock.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>starting up</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">What? To-day?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">To-day. The sooner the better. By the way, what time is it? I +must be on hand myself. Brachtmann, will you come with me?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I was going to propose it. (<i>While </i><span class="sc2"> +Kellinghausen </span><i>puts on his coat, he turns to </i><span class="sc2">Beata</span>.) +If you have any influence over him, for heaven's sake----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>in a low voice</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I can do nothing.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, dear, good-bye. If Richard turns up, be sure you make +him wait. I shall be back in an hour. (<span class="sc2">Kellinghausen </span><i> +and </i><span class="sc2">Brachtmann </span><i>go out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Closing her eyes, with a miserable smile</i>.) In an hour!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span> (<i>in the doorway</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Mother!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Come in, dear child.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span> (<i>kneeling down beside her</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Mother, mother dear, what has happened? What is it? Papa is so excited and talks +to himself so strangely--and you--oh, mother!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>smiling</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Well what have I done?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">If I tell you, you won't--won't stay away? You'll come and +lean over my bed every night--just as you've always done?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>surprised</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Then you're awake--when I come?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Always, always. I never go to sleep till I've heard you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Dearest! And yet you never stirred!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, I prided myself on that! But last night it was so hard to +keep quiet. I could feel your tears on my face--oh, how you were crying! And I +did so want to cry with you. But I held my breath and lay as still as I +could.--Mother, what has happened? Won't you tell me? I'm not a child any +longer.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Listen, dear. I want to ask you a question. Is there any one +in the world--besides your father and me--that you're very fond of?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span> (<i>softly</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">You know, mother. I don't have to tell you things----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Some one you're so fond of that you could live for him--or +even die for him?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There's nothing in the world I wouldn't do for him!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Softly stroking her hair and cheeks</i>.) H'm----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span> (<i>announcing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal"><p class="normal">Dr. Kahlenberg.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>to <span class="sc2">Ellen</span></i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Go, dear. That is all I wanted to know.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Mother! (<i>Goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Dr. Kahlenberg</span>. <span class="sc">Conrad </span><i> +goes out</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Dr. Kahlenberg</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You sent for me, Countess? Nothing wrong, I hope?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, this is your hour for consultations, isn't it?</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Dr. Kahlenberg</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, there was no one there but two or three whining women. The +kind that can be cured by the atmosphere of a fashionable doctor's waiting-room; +so I'm letting them wait.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Listening, as though to make sure that they are alone</i>.) +I sha'n't keep you long. Doctor you know how often I have said to you: "My dear +friend, I've got to live--I've simply got to live; show me how--" and how you've +always answered: "The only way is to avoid excitement." Well--I've borne that in +mind--I've schooled myself to look at life through a tombstone, as it were--my +own tombstone, doctor! I've done that. But now--now there are storms ahead, +perhaps disasters. If they come, my judgment and energy are equal to them--but +my valves are not. I found that out last night--it was only those drops of yours +that saved me. But I can't live on those drops--you've warned me not to take +them too often. And I don't want to die of this. Doctor, you must help me!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Dr. Kahlenberg</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, what's the meaning of all this? H'm. You're right. +Strophanthus and digitalis are not meant for human nature's daily food. Besides, +the effect might wear off.--My dear Countess, take your courage in both hands +and run away. Turn your back on all these emotions. Human life is simply a +process of molecular adjustment complicated by moral idiosyncrasies.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>laughing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I'm so glad to know it, doctor. (<i>Growing serious</i>.) But +there is no time to run away. The storm may break in an hour.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Dr. Kahlenberg</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Child, what has happened? Ah, well, I never ask questions.--In +an hour?--I am going home to despatch my whining women, and then I'll drop in +again and see what has happened in the interval.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And if to-day is only the prelude?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Dr. Kahlenberg</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">So much the better. Then we shall have time to look the thing +in the face. Meanwhile I'll give you something new to take--something that your +system hasn't got used to. We physicians have a supply of such remedies to tide +us over bad places.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Dr. Kahlenberg</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Give me both hands, Countess. You and I know death too well to +be much afraid of it. But if you want to live I'll do my best to help you. And +now I'll go and assure my other patients that they're really ill. Good-bye. (<i>He +goes out. In the hall he is heard greeting </i><span class="sc2">Norbert</span>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Aunt Beata, I'm so glad to see you looking so well. I was +almost afraid----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It always cheers me to see you, Norbert. And to-day +especially----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">To-day?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">'Sh--to-day is a lucky day.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Lucky? In what way?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wait and see! Wait and see!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I say, Aunt Beata, you're not making fun of me? I don't half +like the way you're smiling to yourself.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, you must make the best of it, dear boy!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Aunt Beata--you're <i>not</i> the same since yesterday. I knew +it all along. What a beastly business life is! You--you--of all women!--that +they should dare attack you! The scoundrels--the miserable sneaking scoundrels!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Norbert, dear, you must see that this is a matter we can't +discuss. Besides, I have something else to talk to you about. Can you tell me +what time it is?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Half-past four.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Will you ring for the lamps, please? Ring twice. (<span class="sc2">Norbert </span><i> +rings</i>.) I have only a few minutes to spare, but it won't take long to-- (<span class="sc2">Conrad </span> +<i>brings in two lamps, and draws the curtains</i>) to tell you what I-- (<i>She +hesitates, constrained by </i><span class="sc2">Conrad's </span><i>presence</i>.) +This is Miss Mansborough's afternoon. She has probably gone out. (<span class="sc2">Conrad </span><i> +leaves the room</i>.) You will find Ellen alone in her sitting-room--go and look +for her--and when you find her, put your arms about her, and say to her, "I love +you, and I shall always love you, in this world and the next"--provided there is +any next!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Aunt Beata! (<i>Falls on his knees before her and hides his +face in her lap</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>struggling with her tears</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">And then sit down in the twilight, you and Ellen, quietly, +side by side, and talk of all the happiness that is coming to you and of all the +good you mean to do. Let it be your hour of consecration. And I shall be with +you all the while--feeling your happiness, thinking your thoughts--all through +this next hour of my life.--Now go, Norbert. I hear some one coming--it must be +your father. I will tell him--go, dear, go.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Aunt Beata! (<i>Kisses her hand</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Your hour of consecration remember that, Norbert. (<span class="sc2">Norbert </span><i> +goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What has happened? You look radiant.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Taking his hand and holding it fast</i>.) I have settled +the future of our children. No matter what happens to us-- Why, Richard, aren't +you the least bit pleased?--Oh, how ill you look!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What sort of a night did you have, Beata?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Not so bad.--And how goes the speech? Are you in sight of +land?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata--I don't know if I shall be able to speak to-morrow.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>alarmed</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">But you must. You must. They all count on you. Dear, you <i> +must</i>. Is it because of that wretched business last night?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Partly, I suppose. This new danger has stirred up the whole +past.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And your conscience is bothering you again?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You call it conscience, Beata; I call it consistency. How dare +I speak on this bill, how dare I take such a stand before God and man, when my +whole life gives me the lie?--Good God!--To stand up and talk about the sanctity +of marriage--about the family life as the main support of society--to parade +such an argument before the cynics of the Opposition, when with my own hands I +have helped to tear down that very support--no, no, I can't justify myself +without adopting their own cynical and materialistic creed. And not even then; +for what I call God they call social expediency; and this new idol of theirs is +more exacting than the Jehovah of the old dispensation. As to acknowledging that +words are one thing and actions another--that the man in me is not accountable +to the statesman--well, I haven't sunk as low as that--what I give I must give +without an afterthought.--And so all my ideas crumble into dust, all my +reasoning ends in contradiction--and I find myself powerless to plead the very +cause I have at heart!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But why, dearest, why?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Forgive me. I am so tired; my mind is a blank. First that +dreadful scene last night, when a moment's hesitation would have ruined us both. +Then my long night at my desk--the superhuman effort of collecting my thoughts +after all I'd been through. But as I worked, my subject took such hold of me +that I've only just waked up to the question--how on earth is it all to end? (<span class="sc2">Beata </span><i> +is silent</i>.) Oh, Beata, the truth, the truth! Oh, to be at one with one's +self! To have the right to stand up openly for one's convictions! I would give +everything for it--happiness, life itself, everything!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And yet you love life.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I? No--not now. Now that our falsehood is closing in on us, +death would be--but don't be frightened; I shall do nothing foolish. There are +two of us, and we must hold together. I am so used to sharing every thought with +you.--What has happened since yesterday? I suppose Michael has given up the +absurd idea of prosecuting the man.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the contrary.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">At this moment he has probably found out whatever your former +secretary knows about us.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What on earth do you mean?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I haven't interrupted you, dear, because speaking seemed to +clear your thoughts. But I haven't attempted to answer you, because every minute +is precious.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hasn't Brachtmann been here?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Brachtmann came too late.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Even if he had come sooner he could not have prevented +anything. Dearest, Michael may come back at any moment, and when he comes we +must be ready----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't go on, Beata. Let us suppose the worst: say that Meixner +has unearthed a few suspicious circumstances--what use can he make of them? He +can't produce any proofs.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Who knows?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Where are they to come from? The few letters we exchanged were +burnt long ago. Copies are not admitted as evidence. He will not be allowed to +testify on oath. We have only to keep ourselves in hand as well as we did +yesterday, and the whole story will fall to the ground.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And Michael?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Suppose he questions you?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There can be but one answer, I think.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">In our class there is something we call a "word of honour." If +he asks you for <i>that</i>--? You don't answer.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>confused, breathing heavily</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">We haven't reached that point yet, Beata--and if he does--why, +we two are chained together by our past, we are answerable to no one but +ourselves. That is all there is left to us.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Is that your answer? You, who tell me you have wrestled with +yourself all night because--Richard, I don't believe you!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Believe me or not, but be sure that, whatever happens, no +suspicion shall fall on you--on either of us. And now I beg of you--let me see +Michael alone.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>smiling</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Alone?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>still smiling</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Hush! Do you hear his latch-key?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata, I implore you. You are not fit to bear what is coming! +If you value your life, go----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I value yours, and therefore I shall stay.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>very gravely</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Good-afternoon, Richard. (<i>Shakes hands with him</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Good-afternoon, Michael.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Beata</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Has any one been here?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Norbert--and Dr. Kahlenberg. No one else.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Kahlenberg? At this hour? Is any one ill?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No. He merely came to see me. Shall I give you some tea?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thanks, no. Richard, you don't want any either? Then, if +you'll come into my study----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">With pleasure.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael, I don't understand you. You have never shut me out +from your counsels. Hitherto, if I have taken part in your discussions, it was +because you wished me to; to-day I have a right to be here.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear child, don't you always have your way? If Richard +doesn't object----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Whatever you wish----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But first I want to give you a piece of good news. Norbert and +Ellen are engaged.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>his face lighting up</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Ha? What? Those two children? I saw it coming, bless their +hearts!--but I'd no notion--where are they, Beata? (<i>Goes to door, left</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>in a low tone, to </i><span class="sc2"> +Beata</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">He knows nothing.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>with an effort</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael--never mind--don't speak to them now! To-morrow +Norbert will---- (<i>She breathes painfully</i>. <span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>makes a startled +movement</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What is it? Are you ill?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No--no, it's nothing. But happiness reverberates so! Norbert +is coming back to-morrow. He wishes to tell his mother first.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah, that's thoughtful of him. I had forgotten about his +mother. Well, shake hands, old man. Confound it--I'm ashamed to look you in the +face with this cursed thing hanging over us. And to think how happy we three +might be--oh, that hound, that vile infamous hound!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Tell me what happened, Michael.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There isn't much to tell. My lawyer had a talk with him. He +says his only object is to bring out the facts.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>after a short pause</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Well--let him bring them out.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Let him? You should have heard Brachtmann. The man was beside +himself. He began with the old story of the Frenchman who said that if he were +accused of stealing the towers of Notre Dame he would take the first train for +the frontier. "No matter how blameless you all are, the lie will stick to you," +he said. "It will stick to you and to your children and to your party." I had to +give him my word of honour that, whatever happens, I will do nothing to bring +scandal on the party.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But you haven't stuck to your resolve?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">How could I? We can't wring the scoundrel's neck without +landing ourselves in prison. Norbert was right yesterday. In such cases we have +no refuge left but the courts. There is more in that boy's ideas than I was +willing to admit at the time. Well--meanwhile I've agreed to think the matter +over for twenty-four hours. A mere formality, of course--and yet not quite, +after all. The fact is, I wanted to talk it out with you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Very well.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata--Richard--I don't need to be told that there's nothing +wrong in this house--nothing wrong between you two, to put it plainly. I can see +that for myself. But in such a dirty business the most harmless fact may be used +against you; and you won't misunderstand me if I ask you--both-- You see, you +two have always been in such close sympathy--I don't say that to reproach +you--God forbid! It was natural enough--you're both so much cleverer than I +am--but I ask you, for all our sakes, to look back and try to remember if you've +ever written each other any letters that might--might seem--to an outsider--a +little too friendly? Good heavens! <i>I</i> should understand it if you had! +Or--or--have you ever written anything about <i>me</i>? Anything that might--? +There are plenty of things to criticise about me. But I must know the truth. +There must not be the least pretext for this attack. I ask you to stop and +consider.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There is nothing to consider, my dear Michael.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Not so fast, my dear fellow! Take time. Think the matter over.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There is nothing to think over.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My answer is the same as Richard's, of course.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard, our fate is in your hands. Do you advise me to bring +suit?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh--if you ask my advice----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I don't ask your advice but your assurance. I have pledged +myself not to endanger the party. Give me your word of honour that I can bring +suit without doing so.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>straightening himself</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I give you my word of honour that--you---- (<span class="sc2">Beata </span><i> +gives a suppressed cry</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What is the matter? What ails you?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>looking at </i><span class="sc2">Richard</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">He will give you his word of honour, and then he will go home +and blow his brains out. Don't you see it in his face?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What do you mean?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Kellinghausen, ask your wife to leave the room, and I will----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard, for fifteen years we have shared all our joys and +sorrows. We must share this too.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Half strangled, tearing his collar open, and then throwing +himself on </i><span class="sc2">Richard</span>.) You--you--you!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>seizing both his hands</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael, take care! This must be between ourselves. Remember +that.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes--yes--yes; I pledged my word--I remember--I--oh, +you--you---- (<i>He sinks down in a chair near the table, and hides his face +with tearless sobs</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>approaching him after a pause</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Dear Michael, Richard and I conquered our feelings long ago. +That is why we are so calm now. What happened between us happened years ago, and +we are ready to pay the cost, whatever it is.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, as far as he's concerned, it's simple enough. He and I can +soon settle our account.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But you--you--how can you justify yourself? How have you +reconciled it to your conscience to live beside me half a lifetime with this +thing between us? Why didn't you come and ask me to set you free?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes--that was what <i>he</i> wanted--he has such a sense of +honour! And to this day he has never understood why I wouldn't. I loved him too +well to ruin his life--that's all. Even if he could have got a divorce and +married me, such a marriage would have been his ruin. I should simply have +finished the work that Leonie had begun. But what I wanted was to save him. And +so all these years I have lied for him----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And what have you done for <i>me</i>? Or didn't I enter into +your calculations?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael, you must see that we can't discuss that now. It would +be laughable if I were to try to explain to you----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ha! Ha! Lies and deception! Wife--friend--everything! +Everything! (<i>To </i><span class="sc2">Richard</span>.) Why do you stand there as if you were struck +dumb? Why don't +<i>you</i> try and whitewash yourself too?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You said just now that our account was easy to settle.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">He sees things differently. I speak for myself. He looks at +things as you do.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And yet----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wait, please! I have one word more to say, I have staked +everything and lost--it's all over for us, all three of us. If I had spoken +years ago, the same thing would have happened. You told me just now that I had +made you happy. Well, that is what my lie has done. It has made you happy for +fifteen years. Blame me for it--but don't forget it----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And God--and retribution? Do you never think of such things? +No repentance--no remorse? Nothing? Nothing?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Spare her, Michael. Let me answer for her. (<span class="sc2">Kellinghausen </span><i> +advances toward him with clenched fist</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You have questioned <i>me</i>, Michael; let me question you. +Must every natural instinct end in remorse and repentance? Sin? I am not +conscious of sinning. I did the best that it was in me to do. I simply refused +to be crushed by your social laws. I asserted my right to live; my right to +self-preservation. Perhaps it was another way of suicide--that's no matter. You +know what my life has been--how I've had to buy it, hour by hour and drop by +drop, at the nearest chemist's--well, wretched as it is, I've loved it too +dearly to disown it now! Yes, I've loved it--I've loved everything--everything +around me--you too, Michael--ah, don't laugh--yes, you too--even if I've--ah-- (<i>Her +breath comes in long gasps and she reels and clutches a chair, closing her eyes +as she leans against it. Then she opens them again</i>.) Which one of you +will--help me to the door? (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>makes a movement, +and then draws back</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata, from now on there will be no one to help you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you. (<i>With an intense effort, she walks out of the +room</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Richard</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">And now----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Do what you like. Say what you like. Curse me--shoot me. I +sha'n't defend myself.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You admit that one of us must die?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No; I don't admit it; but I am at your orders.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">A duel between us is impossible----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Impossible----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I don't mean on account of the children. <i>That's</i> all at +an end.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why must it be at an end if one of us dies? But I am at your +orders.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I have pledged my word not to bring any scandal on the party. +You are under the same obligation.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">So that the only thing left----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Before you go any further, let me tell you that I decline to +go through the farce of an American duel.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You decline--? Perhaps you want to sneak out of the whole +business?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You don't believe that!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well--what other way is there?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I know a way--but---- (<span class="sc2">Norbert's </span><i> +voice is heard outside, speaking with </i><span class="sc2">Conrad</span>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>With sudden decision, opening the door</i>.) Norbert!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>following him</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">For God's sake, Michael--do you want to disgrace my whole +house?</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>opening the door</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">You shall see.--Norbert! Come in, my boy--come!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert </span><i>enters</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Uncle Michael, what is the matter with Aunt Beata? The doctor +is with her, and Ellen has been called----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Nothing serious. Don't be alarmed. (<i>Takes his hand</i>.) +Norbert, your father and I were just talking of last evening. You remember that +stupid business interrupted our talk, and we never heard the end of your +argument. Let us have it now. Sit down--sit down, Richard. (<i>They all seat +themselves</i>.) There was one phrase of yours that struck me. You said--you +said--that if----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You said that if a man of honour has injured another and is +called on to atone for it, he is the best judge of his own punishment.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span> (<i>laughing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Did I? Very likely--but my head is so full of other things +just now that I couldn't swear to it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">That was not quite what I meant; but no matter. Suppose we +take such a case. If the injured person says: "One of us two must die"--what +ought the other to answer?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, Uncle Michael, I should say that depended on the nature +of the injury--doesn't it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Let us say, for the sake of argument, that the wrong is the +gravest that one man can do another; let us say he has seduced his friend's +wife. Has the husband a right to the other man's life?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, father--there can be but one answer to that. And if the +other man is a man of honour--though I don't see how he could be, do you?--he +would be more eager to give his life than the husband could possibly be to take +it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">H'm. Perhaps you're right. Thank you, my boy.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Uncle Michael, at what time to-morrow may I see you?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I'll send you word, Norbert.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thanks. Don't make it too late, will you? Don't keep me +waiting too long. Good-bye. Good-bye, father. (<i>Goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well--are you satisfied?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You put the question in a way that suggests suicide. That was +not----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It is your own choice. All I ask is two days' respite. You +won't refuse it? (<span class="sc2">Kellinghausen </span><i>shrugs his shoulders</i>.) +Good-bye. (<i>Goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<br> + +<h3>Curtain.</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>ACT IV</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>ACT IV</h2> +<br> +<br> +<p class="normal"><i>A study in the house of </i><span class="sc2">Richard Völkerlingk</span>. <i>Doors +on the right and left, at the back. A fireplace in the middle background, the +rest of the wall hidden by book-cases, which frame the fireplace and doors. In +the foreground, to the left, a window. To the right of it, a writing-table. In +the centre a table covered with periodicals and books. On the right a leather +sofa and arm-chairs. Behind these a door. Rich and sombre decorations, old +pictures, armour, etc. A hanging-lamp with a green shade, another lamp on a +table, both lit. Through the window one sees the twilight</i>. <span class="sc2">Holtzmann </span><i>is +seated at the centre-table, reading</i>.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">George</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George.</span></p> +<br> +<p class="normal">Herr Holtzmann, some one is asking for the Baron.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, you know the Baron is at the Reichstag. +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George.</span></p> +<br> +<p class="normal">He says it's important that the Baron should see him. He wants +to know when he can call again.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Do you know who it is? +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George.</span></p> +<br> +<p class="normal">Well--not exactly a gentleman. What shall I tell him?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron speaks this afternoon. He will not leave till the +House rises. Tell the man to come back in an hour. (<span class="sc2">George </span><i>goes +out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert </span><i>enters</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span> (<i>greatly excited</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Holtzmann--haven't you been at the Reichstag? (<span class="sc2">Holtzmann </span><i> +shakes his head without speaking</i>.) Then you haven't heard? My father has had +the most wonderful triumph--they say there has never been anything like it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I wish I could give you an idea of it! Look at me--I'm shaking +all over! If you could have heard the way the words rushed out, the way the +thoughts trod on each other's heels! He began by sketching the psychology of the +modern man, and from that he developed a theory of marriage, with its outward +obligations and inner ideals--the marriage of to-day in its highest, noblest +sense--but you'll read what he said; you'll see if I'm exaggerating. Then he +went on to the practical application of his theory. In this unsettled age, when +parents are losing their control over their children, and the state its hold +over the citizen, when even God and His priests see the soul of man slipping +away from them--at such a time we must do all we can to strengthen the only tie +that holds humanity together--the only tie that gives youth the shelter of the +family life till habit becomes duty, and duty the law of being, and through +obedience to that law a strong and enduring national soul is created. Isn't that +beautiful, Herr Holtzmann? Isn't that a glorious idea?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Very fine, very fine. But doesn't such an argument lead back +to the standpoint of the Church, which----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">When marriage is a mockery, he said, the state may intervene +and dissolve it. That was all. Never in my life have I heard such a scathing +denunciation of infidelity!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah? Indeed?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was such terrible menace in his words that I--oh, well, +I can't explain it--but I began to feel afraid--of I don't know what----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span> (<i>half to himself</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">This will explain----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Explain what? What do you mean?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George </span><i>enters</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George</span> (<i>urgently</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Holtzmann!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span> (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Norbert</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">One moment, please. (<i>He goes up to </i><span class="sc2"> +George</span>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George</span> (<i>in a whisper</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">The man is here again, and asking to see you. He is waiting in +the café across the street.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Doesn't he give his name? +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George.</span></p> +<br> +<p class="normal">Yes. Something like Meister or Meissner.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span> (<i>startled, in a whisper</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Meixner? +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George.</span></p> +<br> +<p class="normal">That's it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span> (<i>turning to </i><span class="sc2"> +Norbert</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Will you excuse me? Some one has sent for me.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't let me keep you. (<span class="sc2">Holtzmann </span><i> +and </i><span class="sc2">George </span><i>go out</i>. <span class="sc2">Norbert </span><i> +goes to the window, his hand shading his eyes, and gazes out eagerly</i>. +<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>comes in quietly and lays his portfolio on +the writing-table</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span> (<i>turning toward him</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Father! Father! (<i>He throws himself in </i><span class="sc2"> +Richard's </span><i>arms</i>. <span class="sc2">Richard </span> +<i>thanks him with a smile</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Mother sends you her love and is sorry she can't be here to +congratulate you. She's in waiting on the Princess this evening.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah? (<i>He moves about the room</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, father, how happy you must be! How they cheered, how they +fought to get near you and shake your hand! Oh, if only I could have one such +hour in my life!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>laying a hand on his shoulder</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">If you do, my son, may you pay for it less dearly!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What do you mean?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Listen, Norbert.--Have you heard anything of Aunt Beata?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I went there, but they told me she wouldn't see any one.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>musingly</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">H'm.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">The fact is, I wanted to see Uncle Michael.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Who has walked toward the window</i>.) Uncle Michael? That +reminds me that I wanted to tell you-- How the sunset shines on the house-tops +over there! Everything is in a glow--we shall have glorious winter weather +soon----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You said you had something to tell me, father.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, yes; to be sure. But first, haven't you something to tell <i> +me</i>?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span> (<i>with an embarrassed smile</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes; but not to-day--when you're so----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">The very day, dear boy! To-morrow I may but there's nothing to +tell, after all. Aunt Beata and I have seen this coming and it has made us very +happy.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Flinging his arms about his father</i>.) Father! Father!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Norbert! My dear lad! But we don't yet know what Uncle Michael +will say----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Uncle Michael? When I'm <i>your</i> son? Father, you've heard +something. You wouldn't frighten me for nothing.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I have heard nothing. But, Norbert, listen. Whatever comes to +you in after days, I want you to remember one thing: it doesn't matter whether +we succeed or not. What we need is the guiding note of a voice that seems the +echo of our best hopes. It doesn't matter whether we are mistaken in the voice +or not--the great thing is to hear it. And the worst thing is not to feel the +need of it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you, father. I'm not sure I understand--but you may be +sure I shall listen for the voice.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And one thing more. Uncle Michael is very busy just now. Leave +him alone for a day or two--even if you have the chance of speaking. And let me +see you to-morrow morning early. I may have to go on a long journey--and before +I start----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">On a journey? Now? Just as you----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>nods</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">This is between ourselves. But meanwhile, try to see Aunt +Beata for a moment. I want you to tell her--but stay, I'll write. (<i>He seats +himself at the writing-table and begins to write</i>.)</p> + +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">George</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George.</span></p> + +<p class="normal">His Excellency Baron Ludwig von Völkerlingk.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>. <span class="sc">Richard </span><i> +starts up, pleased and surprised</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George.</span></p> +<br> +<p class="normal">The evening papers, your Excellency. (<i>He puts them down and +goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ludwig! It's a long time since you've given me this pleasure.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you, Richard.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Will you excuse me a moment? I am finishing a letter. (<i>He +folds the letter, puts it into an envelope and writes the address, while </i><span class="sc2"> +Norbert </span> +<i>and </i><span class="sc2">Baron Ludwig </span><i>are greeting each other</i>.) +There!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span> (<i>taking the letter</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">An answer, father?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">As soon as possible. (<span class="sc2">Norbert </span><i>goes +out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Richard--we're quite alone, I suppose? (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i> +nods</i>.) Forgive the suggestion, but-- (<i>he glances about the room</i>) +Leonie sometimes overhears----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Leonie is out.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">So much the better. But first let me tell you with what +admiration I listened to you just now--what breathless admiration! (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i> +makes a gesture of thanks</i>.) Still, I confess that your having to speak on +such a subject just at present made me--er--a little nervous----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why so?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I was almost afraid--but we'll go into that presently.--Well, +at all events, if nothing goes wrong, you may look upon this as the +starting-point of a career that any man living might envy you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What do you mean?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">A certain personage was heard to say after your speech: <i> +That is the man I need</i>. Don't look as if you saw a ghost. You deserve it +all, my dear Richard.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Walks up and down in agitated silence</i>.) Ludwig--you +have led me to the top of a high mountain and shown me the promised land in +which I shall never set foot. Give me time to renounce the idea.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why should you talk of renouncing it? But this brings me to +the object of my visit. Richard, how long do you suppose your enemies will wait +before making capital out of your speech?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I'm ready for them, my dear fellow. I'll pay the shot--to the +last penny!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span> (<i>in a lower tone</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">We are talking at cross-purposes. I referred to the +insinuations of your former secretary.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I understand.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You know there is nothing they are so eager to attack as our +private life. Of course I don't for a moment imagine the man has anything to go +on--but unless you can silence him he may make a scandal in which everything +will go under--your name, your career--and other things besides.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What can I do to prevent it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">For one thing, you might jump into a cab and hunt your man +down with a big bribe in your pocket.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Do you think that kind of man could be bribed?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Richard, this is not merely a matter of life and +death. Remember that. Of course you may be too late; but it's the only way I can +suggest. (<i>There is a knock on the door</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Come in.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I beg your pardon, Baron. (<i>In a low voice</i>.) An +important matter----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You may speak before my brother. I have no secrets from him.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Holtzmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There is a man waiting in my room who wishes to speak to you. +His name is Meixner. (<i>The two brothers look at each other</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thanks. Please tell Herr Meixner that I will see him in a +moment. (<span class="sc2">Holtzmann </span><i>goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, this ends my mission. Good-bye, Richard. Your luck +frightens me.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>laughing bitterly</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">My luck!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span> (<i>pressing his hands</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't hang back now, my dear fellow. The way is open to you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you. Good-bye. (<span class="sc2">Baron Ludwig </span><i> +goes out</i>. <span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>rings</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">George</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I will see the gentleman who is waiting. You will remain in +the ante-room. Don't let in any one else. (<span class="sc2">George </span><i> +goes out. After a short pause </i><span class="sc2">Meixner </span><i>enters</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr Meixner, after what has happened, doesn't it strike you +as rather a liberty that you should enter my house?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Meixner</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Speaking in a hoarse voice, with an occasional cough</i>.) +May I take my muffler off? My lungs have gone wrong--makes it very hard for me +to talk down my adversary in one of those crowded smoky halls.--But what's to be +done about it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">May I ask what you want of me?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Meixner</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Really, Baron, from the way you look at me I might almost ask +what you want of <i>me</i>. But I suppose it's my turn first.--I haven't come +out of malice. You can safely offer me a chair.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">If you haven't come out of malice you probably won't stay long +enough to need one.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Meixner</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah--thanks. Well, I'll take the hint and be brief. It was down +at Lengenfeld, you know. Herr Holtzmann and I sat up a whole night arguing over +the elections. Why not--two honourable antagonists, eh? Herr Holtzmann, as a +good theologian, was all for the sanctity of the social order. I laughed at +him--he's at the age when the disciple looks up to his master, and he brought +you up as an example. I laughed at him again.--"If Baron Völkerlingk is not what +I believe him to be," said he, "nothing is what I believe it to be, and I'll go +over to your side." "Shake hands on that," said I; and we did. The next day, in +my speech, I made that allusion--you know what I mean--and as no one took it up, +and I began to be afraid it might hang fire, I sent about a few copies of the +paper. That helped. I got my nomination the next day.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Not in my district.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Meixner</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No matter. Well I found I'd made a stupid blunder. I'd meant +to convert Holtzmann but I hadn't meant to ruin <i>you</i>. Do you see? Then you +made your speech to-day--and after that-- Well, I've been tramping the streets +ever since, saying to myself: The man who could make that speech after what he's +been through--well, he's suffered enough.--Baron Völkerlingk, here are two +letters written to you by-- (<i>he looks about him cautiously</i>) by a lady I +needn't name. Don't ask me how I got them. I didn't steal them; and here they +are, if you'll give me your word that you'll put a stop to that libel-suit.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I think the suit has already been stopped.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Meixner</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">H'm--well, your thinking so is hardly sufficient.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It will have to be stopped, even if you keep those letters.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Meixner</span> (<i>startled</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Even if--? H'm--do things look as badly as that for you?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You will kindly leave me out of the question.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Meixner</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah--well--here are your letters. (<i>Lays them on the table</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">If you didn't wish to do me a public injury, why not have +shown them privately to my secretary?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Meixner</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">They might have been forgeries.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">They may be so still.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Meixner</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">When I've taken the trouble to return them to you? Holtzmann +doesn't think so. He's packing up already. Perhaps you'd like to see him before +he leaves?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Meixner</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Baron Völkerlingk, if I have got you into trouble don't set it +down to ill-feeling. Principle is principle, if we have to hang for it. Every +man who has convictions must be prepared to go to the stake for them. Good-day +to you, Baron Völkerlingk. (<i>He goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Clutches the letters and strikes his clenched hand against +his brow</i>.) Oh, to live again to live, to live!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Father----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Aunt Beata was out.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Out? At this hour? Why, she never goes out except for her +morning drive. Where can she have gone?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No one knows.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But she must have ordered the carriage?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It seems not.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well, thank you, my boy. What time is it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Nearly seven.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You had better dine without me. I shall go and enquire. She +may have----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Is there anything I can do, father?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No, no. Thanks, Norbert. (<i>He gives him his hand</i>.) +Good-night, my lad.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Good-night, father. (<i>Goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>to himself</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">My God! My God! (<i>He hurries toward the door, and starts +back amazed</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Beata</span>, <i>in hat and cloak, her face +thickly veiled</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata! (<i>He closes the door</i>.) Where have you come from? +Tell me, for heaven's sake!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Alive!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Did any one see you except George?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Alive--alive! (<i>She sinks into a chair, trembling and hiding +her face in her hands</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Good God, Beata, rouse yourself! What has happened? Don't keep +me in suspense. What is it, dearest? Answer me.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I'm so cold.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>opening the door</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">George! (<span class="sc2">George </span><i>enters</i>.) Light the fire.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George</span> (<i>kneels down and lights it</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, your Excellency.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And see that no one interrupts us. I am engaged with Madame +von Kellinghausen. +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George.</span></p> +<br> +<p class="normal">Yes, your Excellency.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">If the Baroness comes in, say nothing, but let me know.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">George.</span></p> +<br> +<p class="normal">Yes, your Excellency. (<i>Goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And now, come and sit by the fire. But take off your cloak +first--there. And your hat and veil too?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Letting her arms sink down helplessly</i>.) I can't.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wait, dear. (<i>He loosens her veil</i>.) How white you are! +Come to the fire. (<i>He leads her to the fireplace</i>.) There! is that right?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Everything is right as long as you're alive!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, Beata, what put such an idea into your head?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hasn't it been in <i>yours</i> ever since yesterday?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There will be no duel, I assure you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I have just read your speech. It was your goodbye to the +world. Oh, don't laugh--don't deny it. I've felt death hanging over us ever +since.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And I swear to you that I've never loved life better, have +never been more determined to live, than now that I've won back my place in the +world.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You swear that to me?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I swear it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And yet you must die.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">So must we all. But I mean to put it off as long as possible, +I promise you!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>standing up</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard, for fifteen years we haven't kept a single thought +from each other, yet now that the end has come you throw me over as if you were +paying off a discarded mistress.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>agitated</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't be afraid. I am not going to force your confidence. You +would only repeat what Michael has already told me--that you are going to +travel, to disappear for a while.--Is this the laugh with which we were to have +greeted death? Often and often, at night, when I've lain in bed struggling for +breath, I've said to myself that I should die before morning. What if it really +happened to-night? You'd have to wait then--you'd have no right to follow me. +Think how people would talk if you did! (<i>With a sudden start</i>.) The +children, Richard--there must be no shadow on the children.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata, don't talk so wildly. Do shake off such fancies.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>musing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes--yes.--You know you'll have a note from Michael in the +morning.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What do you mean?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">A note asking you to luncheon to-morrow to meet some friends. +Nothing more.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What is the object----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It seems there has been some gossip at the clubs, and this is +the shortest way of putting a stop to it. (<i>Entreatingly</i>.) You'll come, +Richard, won't you?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata! Why should we go through this new misery?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>in wild anxiety</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Richard, you <i>will</i> come? You must come.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I can't, Beata.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It is the last thing I shall ever ask of you. Now you're +smiling again--well, I'll believe anything you tell me--about your travelling, +about your disappearing--I'll believe anything, if you'll only come. Richard, +come for the children's sake. And if not for the children's sake, come for +mine--or I shall die of it--I shall die of it, Richard, in the night----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>overcome</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I will come.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Give me your hand. (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>gives +it</i>. <span class="sc2">Beata </span><i>takes his hand, and passes it over her +eyes and cheeks</i>.) There--I'm quite quiet again, you see. (<i>Sits down</i>.) +I don't know if I told you that I'm going to Rossitsch to-morrow.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">For good?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>nodding</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">So that, unless you come and pay me a visit there----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">This is good-bye? For always. So you needn't keep yourself so +frightfully in hand. (<i>He looks at her doubtfully</i>.) You needn't, really. (<i>He +falls on his knees before her and hides his face in her lap</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>stroking his hair</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">"I knew a sad old tale of Tristram and Iseult"--How grey +you've grown in these last few days! (<i>She kisses his hair</i>.) Don't get up +yet--I want to look at you again--for the last time.--Only I can't see you--your +face has been like a mask ever since yesterday.--Look at me just once as you +used to--just once!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>rising</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I've never changed to you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Haven't you?--Who knows?--We've grown old, you and I. There's +a layer of ashes on our hearts--a layer of conventionality and good behaviour +and weariness and disappointment.--Who knows what we were like before the fire +went out? Not a trace is left to tell--not so much as a riband or a flower. The +words are forgotten, the letters are destroyed, the emotions have faded. Here we +sit like two ghosts on our own graves. (<i>Passionately</i>.) Oh, to go back +just once to the old life, and then forget everything----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Do you really want to?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You can work wonders--but not that!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Draws out the letters, and opening one, begins to read it +to her</i>.) "Rossitsch, June 13th, 1881. Two o'clock in the morning."</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What is that?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Listen. (<i>Reading</i>.) "I don't want to sleep, dearest. The +night is too bright and my happiness too great. The moonlight lies on Likowa, +and already the dawn shows red through the network of elms. The blood beats like +a hammer in my temples--I scarcely know how I am going to bear the riches of my +new life. Oh, how I pray God to let me live it out beside you--not as your wife, +that would be too wild a dream!--but as an unseen influence at your side, faint +as the moonlight which rests upon your sleep, or as the first glow of dawn that +wakes you to new endeavour."</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I must have been listening to Wagner. Let me see; did I really +write that? (<i>She reads</i>.) "For I mean to make you the greatest among men, +you, my discoverer and my deliverer--" That's not so bad, you know. (<i>Reads on</i>.) +"If only heaven would let me die, and give you my life to live as well as your +own." (<i>She rises suddenly with a strange look on her face</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">This letter and another have just been brought to me +by--Meixner. If he had come yesterday we should have been saved. Now it is too +late.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Too late?--Oh, Richard, how ungrateful I've been! Why, every +prayer of my youth has been granted--the long sad sweet dream at your side-- (<i>She +breaks suddenly into laughter</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why do you laugh?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I laugh because in your speech this morning you disowned us +both--disowned our long sad sweet dream. Oh, I don't blame you, Richard. It +isn't your conscience that torments you, it's the conscience of the race. I'm +only a woman--what do I care for the race? You felt that you were sinning--I +felt that I had risen above myself, that I had attained the harmony nature meant +me to attain. And because I feel that----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You deny that we have sinned----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I deny nothing. I affirm nothing. I stand on the farther shore +of life, and look over at you with a smile. Oh, Richard, Richard (<i>she laughs</i>), +did you ever really think I had given you up? I never gave you up. I never +ceased to long for you, passionately, feverishly, day and night, when you were +away and when you were near me--always, always--and all the while I was playing +the cool, quiet friend, biting my lips to keep the words back, and crushing down +my rebellious heart--yes, and through it all I was so happy--so unspeakably, +supremely happy----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>going up to her</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Take care, dear. You mustn't excite yourself. I shall have to +send you home.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Letting her head sink on his breast with a happy smile</i>.) +Home? This is home.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">They will be wondering where you are. They may send here to +find you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>mysteriously, urgently</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">No, no--not yet! I have so much to say to you. There are so +many secrets I must tell you. Everything has grown so clear to me--I wish +I--Richard, you will surely come to-morrow? (<i>Crying out suddenly</i>.) I want +to stay with you. I am afraid of to-night!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata, do try to control yourself.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, yes--I'll control myself.-- (<i>She stands motionless, +benumbed</i>.) Give me my hat. (<i>He brings her the hat and veil</i>.) And my +veil. (<i>Fervently</i>.) You still love your life, Richard? You still want to +live?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Haven't I told you so? Ever since----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Never fear, dearest. You <i>shall</i> live.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>with outstretched hands</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata, before we part----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't thank me--don't kiss me. I--good-bye, Richard. (<i>She +goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata!</p> +<br> +<br> +<h3>Curtain.</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>ACT V</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>ACT V</h2> +<br> +<br> +<p class="normal"><i>The dining-room at </i><span class="sc2">Count Kellinghausen's</span>. <i>In the +middle of the stage a table with six covers. On the right a sofa, table, and +chairs. Sideboard on the left. In the centre at the back a wide door leading +into the drawing-room. Door on the right into anteroom, door on the left into +inner apartments. A window on the right, in the foreground. Grey light of a +winter's day</i>. <span class="sc2">Ellen </span><i>is busy arranging the flowers on the table</i>. +<span class="sc2">Conrad </span><i>in the background. Enter </i><span class="sc2">Beata </span><i>from the left</i>.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, mother, I'm so glad you've come. Will the flowers do?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beautifully, dear. (<span class="sc2">Conrad </span><i>goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And the cards? Look--I've put you here, of course, with Baron +Ludwig on your right, and Prince Usingen on your left.--Mother! You're not +listening.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes I am. But Brachtmann is older than the Prince. They must +change places.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Very well. And this is Uncle Richard's seat, next to father's.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What about father?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I was only saying that I had put Uncle Richard next to you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Next to me?--Yes, yes; of course. Quite right. (<i>He pets her</i>.) +Now, you monkey, be off!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I shall see you before luncheon, dear.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, mother. (<i>Goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I came to speak to you about our arrangements. I have just +received a telegram from Rossitsch. Your rooms are ready for you. To prevent any +talk, I shall take you there and leave you. I suppose you are ready to start +this evening?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Whenever you please, dear Michael.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You don't seem to have made any preparations.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>smiling</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I have so few to make!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I have no objection to Ellen's remaining with you till the +spring. Then we can see about sending her to a boarding-school.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I consent to that too.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You could hardly expect your refusal to make much difference.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>still smiling</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't be afraid. I understand my position.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And who is to blame for it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear Michael, we neither of us care for tragedy. Why not +let that be?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You're right.--Where have you put my seat?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Here.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Another torture to undergo!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Isn't it more than you can bear?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps--but it can't be helped. I had to have these +people--I've got to go through with it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, you've got to go through with it. And so have I. I need +them more than you do.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You? Why?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You will see later.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You have no right to keep anything from me----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Are you keeping nothing from <i>me</i>? (<i>He turns away</i>.) +Michael, here is a letter in which I have written something I can't well say to +you. Will you promise not to open it till luncheon is over?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You give me your word?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>giving him the letter</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Here it is.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you. Then--I suppose--we-- (<i>Goes to the door</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eh?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You know I'm not very strong--oh, don't misunderstand me! I'm +not trying to work on your feelings--but you know how much is at stake. If +Richard Völkerlingk should die suddenly, and I----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>tortured</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I beg of you, Beata! I----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Go on.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You had something to say.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>confused</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I--I was only going to tell you--that there will be no duel.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah.--Then the danger I spoke of is removed, and I----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">His Highness Prince Usingen and Baron Brachtmann are in the +drawing-room.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I will come at once. (<span class="sc2">Conrad </span><i>goes +out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">If you don't mind I will join you at table.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You are not well.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>carelessly</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">It's nothing to speak of. Don't keep them waiting.--(<span class="sc2">Kellinghausen </span> +<i>stands before her, shaken with tearless sobs</i>. <span class="sc2">Beata </span><i> +goes up to him and lays her hand softly on his arm</i>.) Michael, dear, when I +think how I have hurt you I should like to fall down before you and kiss your +hands--I should like to show you--what is in my heart--but it's too late to say +such things now----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Good-bye. (<i>He goes out</i>. <span class="sc2">Beata </span><i> +rings and </i><span class="sc2">Conrad </span><i>enters</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ask Countess Ellen to bring me my drops. (<span class="sc2">Conrad </span><i> +goes out</i>. <span class="sc2">Beata </span> +<i>stretches out her arms and passes her hands over her face</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span> (<i>in the doorway</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Mother! Are you ill? (<span class="sc2">Beata </span><i>stretches out her arms again, +half beckoning </i><span class="sc2">Ellen</span>, <i>half warding her off</i>. <span class="sc2"> +Ellen</span>, <i>hastening to her</i>.) Mother! Mother! what is it?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>softly</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Nothing, nothing. (<i>She strokes </i><span class="sc2">Ellen's</span> +hair, <i>lets her arms slip gradually from the girl's shoulders, and finds the +phial containing the drops in her left hand. A long shudder</i>.) Give me the +drops.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">How you snatch! Here they are. (<span class="sc2">Beata </span><i> +turns the phial about in her hand</i>.) Mother, are we really going to +Rossitsch, this evening?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>nodding</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">In midwinter? Why do we go?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">H'm----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What will Norbert say? It looks as though you wanted to +separate us----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Does it? Does it really look so?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No, no, no--forgive me! No.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">But others might want to separate you--for life--for life, +Ellen! Do you understand?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Mother!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Shall I tell you what to do if ever that happens? Wait till +you are of age, and then go to him wherever he is, and say: "My mother sent me." +Do you see?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Ellen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, yes--but why----?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">By and by, at Rossitsch, I'll tell you. When we sit together +in the big hall, over the fire, with the wind singing in the chimney. You'll +like that, won't you, dear? We'll be so jolly together, you and I. And now, +darling, go. (<i>Passionately</i>.) No, come back-- (<i>kissing her</i>) and now-- (<i>smiling +at her</i>) go dear, go! (<span class="sc2">Ellen </span><i>goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Has every one come?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">All but Baron Richard.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You may announce luncheon, then. (<span class="sc2">Conrad </span><i> +goes out. A moment later he throws open the doors, and </i><span class="sc2"> +Baron Ludwig</span>, <span class="sc2">Prince Usingen</span>, <span class="sc2"> +Baron Brachtmann</span>, <i>and </i><span class="sc2">Kellinghausen </span><i> +enter</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Prince--Herr von Brachtmann--how do you do? (<i>To </i><span class="sc2"> +Baron Ludwig</span>.) You Excellency, you are to sit on my right.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You do me too much honour. (<span class="sc2">Conrad </span><i> +closes the folding-doors</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And now, gentlemen, shall we begin <i>ŕ la Russe</i>, with a +little caviare? (<i>He leads the others to the table near the sofa, where cold +dishes and liqueurs are set out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Your true German can't abide a Russian, but we all adore their +caviare.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Where can my brother be? The feast is given for him and he is +the last to appear.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">He's probably doing what we all do the day after. Poring over +the papers.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And wondering how it is that yesterday's laurels have already +turned into thorns.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah, that's part of the game.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No, it's the end of the game.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What do you mean, Prince?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">That our growth ceases when we gain our end. Attainment means +being nailed fast--nailed to a cross, sometimes!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>While </i><span class="sc2">Conrad </span><i>hands about +glasses of wine</i>.) Gentlemen, won't you drop your epigrams and try some of my +port?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It's his Excellency's doing. He always begins!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter a footman</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">The Footman</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Baron Richard von Völkerlingk. (<i>There is an expectant +murmur</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span> (<i>aside to </i><span class="sc2">Prince</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I told you there was nothing wrong.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wait and see.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>kissing </i><span class="sc2">Beata's </span><i> +hand</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Forgive my being so late. A dozen things turned up at the last +moment. Excuse me, Michael. (<i>The </i><span class="sc2">Prince </span><i>makes +a sign to </i><span class="sc2">Brachtmann</span>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Shaking hands composedly with </i><span class="sc2">Richard</span>.) +Don't mention it, my dear fellow. We are lucky to get you at all. The man of the +hour you can't have a moment to yourself.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I've not had many yet. (<i>Shakes hands with him again and +then turns to the others</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Shall we have luncheon? Völkerlingk, you can join us when +you've had your caviare. (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>makes a gesture +refusing the hors-d'œ +uvre</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span> (<i>aside to the </i><span class="sc2"> +Prince</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Well?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Irreproachable, as usual.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank God! (<i>They all seat themselves</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span> (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Baron Ludwig</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I can't make your brother out. You know him better than we do. +Look at his face--what's the matter with him?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">We are such complicated machines, your Highness. It's +impossible to explain any one with a word.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Take a hundred, then. (<i>With a short excited laugh</i>.) +Life is long enough!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>to himself</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes. Life is long enough.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Instead of discussing my appearance I wish you would criticise +my speech.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">What a <i>gourmet</i> he is, Countess! He wants the +disapproval of his friends to season the praise of his enemies!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Now, then, Brachtmann?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Why, my dear fellow, if you insist--I must tell you frankly +that I had hoped you would lay more stress on the view of marriage as a divine +institution.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I have the greatest respect for that view of marriage, but I +fear it might have invalidated the scientific side of my argument. What do you +say, Prince?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And what if it did? It's much more gratifying to our vanity to +think ourselves the objects of divine solicitude than the victims of natural +law. (<span class="sc2">Brachtmann </span><i>and </i><span class="sc2">Baron +Ludwig </span><i>protest</i>. <span class="sc2">Beata </span><i>laughs</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Really, Usingen----!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Isn't your Highnesses scepticism a little overdone? Surely +society has made us the natural protectors of the social order. The order may +change with the times--all we ask is that it should maintain the moral balance +of power. (<span class="sc2">Beata </span><i>laughs</i>.) You are amused, +Countess?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>still laughing</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I was only laughing to think how often I'd heard it +before--the moral balance of power, and all the rest! I'm sure our ancestors +sang the same song when they threw their victims to Moloch. And our souls are +still thrown by the million to the Moloch of social expediency. We are all +expected to sacrifice our personal happiness to the welfare of the race! (<i>She +laughs excitedly</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>almost threateningly</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Countess, you are conjuring up a phantom.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It may be a phantom, but it has us by the throat.--(<i>To </i><span class="sc2"> +Richard</span>.) What are you thinking of, Völkerlingk? You are not going to +refuse our celebrated game-pie?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I beg your pardon. I wasn't thinking. (<i>He helps himself to +the dish</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">You must know that that pie is an invention of my own!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Dear me, Countess, are you at home in every branch of +learning?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Oh, I had the making of a great cook in me. I believe I'm the +last of the old school--the model housekeeper, the domestic wife, the +high-priestess of the family! (<i>She goes on laughing excitedly and </i> +<span class="sc2">Michael </span><i>nervously echoes her laugh</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Making a perceptible effort to change the conversation</i>.) +My dear Countess, no one ever ventures to dispute your statements. But there is +one family about which I want to say a word and that is the one we are in. (<i>Rising</i>.) +I drink to the house of Kellinghausen!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">The Others</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hear--hear!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">The house of Kellinghausen! As I look back over my life, I +don't know how to sum up all I owe to it. (<i>He turns to </i><span class="sc2"> +Beata</span>.) To you, my dear friend----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>with forced gaiety</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Is this a settlement in full, my dear fellow?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Taken aback, but recovering himself instantly</i>.) You're +right, Michael. There's no use trying; but there's something I want to say to +you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hear! hear!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>to the others</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Since yesterday, you all know what I owe him. My success is +his doing, all his doing. If I've gained my end, if I've reached the goal at +last, it's to Kellinghausen I owe it. Here's to my good friend and yours!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">The Others</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hear! Hear! (<i>They clink their glasses</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>With a strained laugh, as he and </i><span class="sc2"> +Richard </span><i>touch glasses</i>.) You might have left that out.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I should have written it if I hadn't said it.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>still on his feet</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Gentlemen--Beata--I may speak for all of you, I believe? I +think our friend Völkerlingk proved conclusively yesterday that if he has taken +my place it is because he has the best right to it. (<i>On the verge of an +outburst</i>.) A better right to it--than-- (<i>He is checked by a terrified +glance from </i><span class="sc2">Beata</span>, <i>who utters a low exclamation</i>.) +Well--well--I'm not much of a speech-maker.--Gentlemen--Beata--long life to our +friend Völkerlingk--long life to my successor!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>In a low voice, while the others gather about </i><span class="sc2"> +Richard</span>.) Long life to him! (<i>She presses her hand to her heart, and +rests heavily against the arm of her chair</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span> (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Kellinghausen</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Is anything wrong with the Countess?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span> (<i>raising herself with a smile</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Would you not rather go into the drawing-room? You look tired. +(<i>She shakes her head</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>In a formal tone, with a glance at </i><span class="sc2"> +Michael</span>.) We all beg of you, Countess----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Looking from one to the other with growing apprehension</i>.) +No--no--no--I'm quite--quite--on the contrary--<i>I</i> have a toast to propose. +(<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>makes a startled gesture</i>.) Yes--a toast +of my own! But please all sit down first----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Woman disposes!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beata, you are overtaxing yourself. Be careful.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">My dear friends, you all go on wishing each other a long life +but which of us is really alive? Which of us really dares to live? Somewhere, +far off in the distance, we catch a glimpse of life--but we hide our eyes and +shrink away from it like transgressors. And that's our nearest approach to +living! Do you really think you're alive--any one of you? Or do you think I am? +(<i>She springs up with an inspired look</i>.) But I, at least--I--whose whole +life is one long struggle against death--I who never sleep, who hardly breathe, +who barely stand--I at least know how to laugh, how to love life and be thankful +for it! (<i>She staggers to her feet, raising her glass, her voice no more than +a hoarse whisper</i>.) And as the only living soul among you, I drink to the joy +of living!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">The Others</span> (<i>holding out their glasses</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Good! Good! Bravo!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Draws a deep breath, sets down her glass, and looks about +her confusedly. Her eyes rest on </i><span class="sc2">Richard</span>, <i>and +then turn to </i><span class="sc2">Michael</span>, <i>to whom she speaks</i>.) I +think I will take your advice and go into the other room for a little while. (<i>She +rises with an effort</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">There, Beata! I warned you.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span> (<i>offering her his arm</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Won't you take my arm, Countess?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Beata</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No, no--thanks! Michael, make my excuses. I shall be back in a +few minutes. (<i>She lingers in the doorway with a last smile and a last look at </i><span class="sc2"> +Richard</span>.) Good-bye. I shall be back--in a few minutes. (<i>Goes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>to the others</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Don't be alarmed. My wife often breaks down in this way--I +knew by her excitement that it was coming. Please sit down again. I assure you +that in a few minutes she--(<i>A heavy fall is heard in the next room</i>. +<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>starts violently</i>. <span class="sc2"> +Michael </span><i>half springs from his seat, but controls himself with an +effort. There is a short pause</i>.)--she'll be coming back laughing as usual. (<i>Whispers +are heard behind the door to the left</i>. <span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>is +seen to listen intently</i>.) What are you listening to? What's the matter?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span> (<i>agitated</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">I beg your pardon--I thought I-- (<span class="sc2">Ellen </span><i>is heard to utter a piercing scream. The men start to their feet</i>. <span class="sc2"> +Michael </span><i>rushes out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Surely that was Countess Ellen's voice?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">It doesn't look as if the Countess were going to come back +laughing as usual.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Michael </span><i>enters with a ghastly face</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span> (<i>hoarsely</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">The nearest doctor--any one--quick! (<i>Goes out again</i>. <span class="sc2"> +Richard </span><i>makes a motion as though to follow him, then turns and rushes +out of the door to the right</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Countess is subject to such attacks; but this +seems--different.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">H'm--yes--quite so. (<i>There is a long silence</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span> (<i>to </i><span class="sc2">Baron Ludwig</span>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Your brother may not be able to find a doctor.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">We must hope for the best. (<i>Another silence</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps we had better be going----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Brachtmann</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Nods his assent; then to </i><span class="sc2">Baron Ludwig</span>.) +Are you coming?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I shall wait for my brother. (<i>He shakes hands with them</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Prince</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">H'm. (<i>He and </i><span class="sc2">Brachtmann </span><i>go +out</i>. <span class="sc2">Baron Ludwig </span><i>walks up and down the room +shaking his head</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I can't say yet, your Excellency. (<i>He goes to the table</i>.) +We are looking for the drops. Countess Ellen gave them to the Countess herself +before luncheon.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I thought I saw something in her hand at luncheon. Has any one +looked in her hand?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Conrad</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">No. (<i>He goes out. There is a pause</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Richard </span><i>and a doctor</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Well? Has anything----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Baron Ludwig</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Nothing.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Will you come this way, doctor?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">The Doctor</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you. (<span class="sc2">Richard </span><i>and the doctor +go out</i>. <span class="sc2">Baron Ludwig </span><i>continues to pace the floor</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Norbert </span><i>by door on the right</i>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Uncle, what has happened? I've just met Brachtmann and +Usingen. They said--uncle-- (<span class="sc2">Baron Ludwig </span><i>points +silently to the door on the left</i>. +<span class="sc2">Norbert </span><i>hurries through it. Another pause</i>. <span class="sc2"> +Baron Ludwig </span><i>continues to pace up and down. The doctor</i>, <span class="sc2"> +Richard </span><i>and </i><span class="sc2">Michael </span><i>come slowly into +the room</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">The Doctor</span> (<i>after a silence</i>).</p> + +<p class="normal">Count, I am extremely sorry to have come too late. But it may +be some comfort to you to know that I could have done nothing. Death was the +result of heart disease--the end must have been instantaneous. May I ask who was +the Countess's regular physician?</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Dr. Kahlenberg.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">The Doctor</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">I will notify him at once. Permit me to offer my sympathy.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you, doctor. (<i>Shakes his hand and accompanies him to +the door. The doctor goes out</i>. <span class="sc2">Baron Ludwig </span><i>shakes </i><span class="sc2">Kellinghausen's </span><i>hand silently, nods to </i><span class="sc2"> +Richard </span><i>and withdraws</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thank you, Michael--for letting me be with her----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Read this. (<i>Hands him </i><span class="sc2">Beata's </span><i>letter</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Takes the letter, shudders at sight of the handwriting, +tries to read it, and then hands it back</i>.) I cannot----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then I will read it to you. It's meant for both of us. (<i>He +reads</i>.) "Dear Michael, even if the poison is found in me they will think I +took it by mistake. To avoid suspicion I shall do it while we are all at +luncheon. I see that some one must pay the penalty--better I than he. He has his +work before him--I have lived my life. And so I mean to steal a march on him. +Whatever you have agreed upon between you, my death will cancel the bargain--he +cannot die now without causing the scandal you have been so anxious to avert. I +have always loved happiness, and I find happiness now in doing this for his +sake, and the children's and yours. Beata." As she says, this cancels our +agreement. You see that I must give you back your word.</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And you see, Michael----</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><i>Enter </i><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Norbert</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">(<i>Throws himself weeping into </i><span class="sc2">Kellinghausen's </span><i>arms</i>.) +Uncle Michael!</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Kellinghausen</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">Go, my son--go to Ellen. (<span class="sc2">Norbert </span><i>wrings </i><span class="sc2">Richard's </span><i>hand without speaking, and goes +out</i>.)</p> +<br> +<p class="stage"><span class="sc">Richard</span>.</p> + +<p class="normal">And you see, Michael, that <i>I</i> live because I must--that +I live--because I am dead----</p> +<br> +<br> +<h3>Curtain.</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben), by +Hermann Sudermann + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOY OF LIVING *** + +***** This file should be named 34207-h.htm or 34207-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/2/0/34207/ + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben) + A Play in Five Acts + +Author: Hermann Sudermann + +Translator: Edith Wharton + +Release Date: November 4, 2010 [EBook #34207] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOY OF LIVING *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + 1. Page scan source: + http://www.archive.org/details/joyoflivingthe00suderich + + 2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe]. + + + + + + THE JOY OF LIVING + + (_ES LEBE DAS LEBEN_) + + A PLAY IN FIVE ACTS + + + + BY + HERMANN SUDERMANN + + + + TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN + BY + EDITH WHARTON + + + + CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS + NEW YORK:::::::::::::::::1906 + + + + + + _Copyright, 1902, by Charles Scribner's Sons_ + + + + Published, November, 1902 + + + + + + TROW DIRECTORY + PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY + NEW YORK + + + + + _Translator's Note_ + + +_The translation of dramatic dialogue is attended with special +difficulties, and these are peculiarly marked in translating from +German into English. The German sentence carries more ballast than +English readers are accustomed to, and while in translating narrative +one may, by means of subordinate clauses, follow the conformation of +the original, it is hard to do so in rendering conversation, and +virtually impossible when the conversation is meant to be spoken on the +stage. To English and American spectators the long German speeches are +a severe strain on the attention, and even in a translation intended +only for the "closet" a too faithful adherence to German construction +is not the best way of doing justice to the original._ + +_Herr Sudermann's dialogue is more concise than that of many other +German dramatists; yet in translation his sentences and speeches need +to be divided and recast: to preserve the spirit, the letter must be +modified. This is true not only of the construction of his dialogue but +also of his forms of expression. Wherever it has been possible, his +analogies, his allusions, his "tours de phrase," have been scrupulously +followed; but where they seemed to obscure his meaning to English +readers some adaptation has been necessary. Apart from these trifling +changes, the original has been closely followed; and such modifications +as have been made were suggested solely by the wish to reproduce Herr +Sudermann's meaning more closely than a literal translation would have +allowed._ + + + + + CHARACTERS + + Count Michael von Kellinghausen. + Beata, his wife. + Ellen, their daughter. + Baron Richard von Voelkerlingk. + Leonie, his wife. + Norbert, their son, reading for the Bar. + Baron Ludwig von Voelkerlingk (_Secretary of State, Richard's + step-brother_). + Prince Usingen. + Baron von Brachtmann. + Herr von Berkelwitz-Gruenhof. + Dr. Kahlenberg (_Privy Councillor at the Board of Physicians_). + Holtzmann (_candidate for Holy Orders, private Secretary to Baron + Richard von Voelkerlingk_). + Meixner. + A Physician. + Conrad, servant at Count Kellinghausen's. + George, Baron Richard's servant. + Another Servant. + +_The scene is laid in Berlin--the first three and the fifth acts at the +house of Count Kellinghausen; the fourth act at Baron Richard +Voelkerlingk's._ + + _Period: about 1899_. + + + + + ACT I + + + + + THE JOY OF LIVING + + + + + ACT I + + +_A drawing-room in the Empire style in_ Count Kellinghausen's _house. +In front, on the left, a fireplace; to the left, in the background, a +door to the inner apartments; to the right, back, a door into the front +passage; in the foreground, on the right, a window. In the centre of +back wall a wide opening between two columns, partly closed by an old +Gobelins tapestry. On the right a sofa, table and chairs. On the left, +in front of the fireplace, several low seats. Near the middle, placed +diagonally, a writing-table with shelves; beside the table two seats +with low backs and a comfortable arm-chair. Old portraits and coloured +prints on the walls._ + +Holtzmann _is seated at the back of the room, a portfolio on his lap_. +Conrad _ushers in_ Baron Ludwig. + + + Conrad (_in the doorway_). + +If your Excellency will kindly come this way--the doctor is with Madame +von Kellinghausen. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Ah? In that case perhaps I had better---- + + Conrad. + +Madame von Kellinghausen will be here in a moment, your Excellency. The +other gentleman has already been announced. (_Indicating_ Holtzmann.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +Very well. (Conrad _goes out_.) + + Holtzmann (_rises and makes a deep bow_). + + Baron Ludwig. + +(_Bowing slightly in return wanders about the room and at last pauses +before_ Holtzmann.) I beg your pardon but--surely I know your face. + + Holtzmann. + +Very likely, your Excellency. My name is Holtzmann, private secretary +to Baron Richard von Voelkerlingk. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Indeed? I am so seldom at my brother's. The fact is--er, well. +Yesterday was election-day at Lengenfeld, by the way. The papers were +full of it this morning. It seems to cause a good deal of surprise that +Count Kellinghausen should not only have withdrawn in favour of my +brother, but should actually have gone about canvassing for him. I +daresay that's an exaggeration, though? + + Holtzmann. + +On the contrary, your Excellency. The Count has been down in the +country electioneering for weeks. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Really? And you were with him, I suppose? + + Holtzmann (_with a dry smile_). + +Very much so, your Excellency. I should be sorry to be answerable for +all the nonsense I've had to talk and write! + + Baron Ludwig. + +H'm--just so. Nonsense always wins. Who said that, by the way? Julian +the Apostate, wasn't it? + + Holtzmann. + +No, your Excellency. Talbot. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Julian might have said it. The losing side always philosophises. + + Holtzmann. + +I hope we sha'n't be on the losing side. + + Baron Ludwig. + +H'm. What is your profession? + + Holtzmann. + +Theology, your Excellency. + + Baron Ludwig. + +And how long do you think it will be before it lands you in socialism? + + Holtzmann (_offended_). +Excellency! + + Baron Ludwig. + +My dear sir, look at the examples! I remember a predecessor of yours at +my brother's--a theological student also, I believe. Well, he landed +with both feet in the middle of the Socialist camp. + + Holtzmann. + +Yes, I know, your Excellency. You mean Meixner. + + Baron Ludwig. + +That reminds me--I hear the fellow has actually been taking a leading +hand in the fight against my brother. + + Holtzmann. + +The report is true. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Well, I hope you hit back hard. + + Holtzmann. + +That is what I was there for, your Excellency. + + _Enter_ Beata _and_ Dr. Kahlenberg. + + Beata. + +I hadn't dared to hope that your Excellency would answer my summons so +promptly. + + Baron Ludwig (_kissing her hand_). + +My dear Countess, your summons was a command--and one I was only too +happy to obey. (Beata _turns to_ Holtzmann.) Ah, good-morning, my dear +doctor. + + Kahlenberg. + +Good-morning, your Excellency. How is it you haven't been in lately to +let me look you over? A guilty conscience, eh? + + Baron Ludwig. + +Lack of time, doctor. Give me a day of twenty-five hours, and I'll +devote one of them to consulting my physician. + + Kahlenberg. + +Who will order you to rest during the other twenty-four. + + Baron Ludwig. + +We all get that order sooner or later, doctor--and from a chief we have +to obey. (_In a low voice_.) How is the Countess? + + Kahlenberg (_same tone_). + +No worse. (_To_ Beata.) And now, my dear lady, I must be off--but +what's the matter? + + Beata (_joyously excited, a paper in her hand_). + +Oh, nothing--nothing--nothing---- + + Kahlenberg (_in a tone of friendly reproach_). + +You know I've warned you---- + + Beata. + +Not to feel, not to think, not to laugh, not to cry--not to live, in +short, dear doctor! + + Kahlenberg. + +Well, I don't object to the laughing. + + Beata. + +It's just as well you don't, for it's a habit you couldn't break me of. +There is so much to laugh at in this vale of tears! Well, good-bye, +doctor! (Kahlenberg _goes out_.) + + Beata (_to_ Baron Ludwig). + +This will interest you too. Herr Holtzmann--you know Herr +Holtzmann?--has just brought me the returns from Lengenfeld. Only +fancy, your brother has a majority of a hundred and thirty-one! Think +of that! + + Baron Ludwig. + +Don't let us be too sanguine. + + Beata. + +Oh---- + + Holtzmann. + +Six districts are still to be heard from, Countess, and we know that +four of these belong to the Socialists. It is still doubtful if we can +gain a majority. + + Beata (_concealing her disappointment_). + +And when do you expect to hear the final result? + + Holtzmann. + +At any moment now. + + Beata. + +And when you _do_ hear---- + + Holtzmann. + +I will jump into a cab and bring you the news instantly. + + Beata. + +Thank you so 'much. (_Gives him her hand_.) Is Baron Voelkerlingk at +home? + + Holtzmann. + +He went for a ride. I daresay I shall find him on my return. + + Beata. + +Remember me to him, won't you? (Holtzmann _takes leave with a bow_.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +What do you hear from Kellinghausen? He is still at Lengenfeld, I hear. + + Beata. + +I have just had a letter. Now that the elections are over he means to +take a day's shooting, and then he is coming home--free from his +party-duties for the first time in years! + + Baron Ludwig. + +And what does the Egeria of the party say to such a state of things? + + Beata. + +Do you mean _me_, your Excellency? + + Baron Ludwig. + +I mean the woman at whose delightful dinner-table the fate of more than +one important bill has been decided. Now that Kellinghausen has retired +into private life, do you mean to keep up the little political dinners +we've always been so much afraid of? + + Beata. + +I hope so, your Excellency. And if you care to beard the lion in his +den, I shall be charmed to send you an invitation. You haven't dined +with us in an age. I've always fancied that the estrangement between +your brother and yourself might be the cause of our seeing so little of +you. + + Baron Ludwig. + +My dear Countess, those eyes of yours see through everything; and I +read in them all the answers I might make to that question. Ah, +well--Richard had the good luck, the unspeakable good luck, to win your +friendship, and under your influence, to develop into the man he is! + + Beata. + +I know how to listen when clever men are talking. That is the secret of +what you call my influence. + + Baron Ludwig. + +You think so?--Well--there was Richard, dabbling in poetry and +politics, in archaeology and explorations, like the typical noble +amateur. He had a fortune from his mother, while I was poor. But in one +respect I was richer than he; for he married a fool who dragged him +down to the level of her own silly snobbishness. But then you came--and +lifted him up again. Then all his dormant powers awoke--he discovered +his gift as a speaker, he became the mouthpiece of the party, he got +into the Reichstag, and---- + + Beata. + +And dropped out again. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Exactly. And the estrangement between us dates from that time. It was +reported that government had left him in the lurch, and I was thought +to be more or less responsible. + + Beata. + +At all events, his career was cut short. And he failed again at the +next election. + + Baron Ludwig. + +And now your friendship has helped him to success. + + Beata. + +My husband's friendship, you mean. + + Baron Ludwig. + +In my loveless household I know too little of the power of woman to +pronounce definitely on that point. + + Beata. + +You do well to suspend your judgment. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Ah, now you are displeased with me. I am sorry. I might be of use to +you. + + Beata. + +If you wish to be of use to me you can do so by becoming your brother's +friend. It was to ask you this that I sent for you. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Countess, I wonder at your faith in human nature! + + Beata. + +Human nature has never deceived me. + + Baron Ludwig. + +One would adore you for saying that if one hadn't so many other reasons +for doing so! + + Beata (_laughing_). + +Pretty speeches at our age? + + Baron Ludwig. + +You may talk of my age, but not of yours. + + Beata. + +Look at the grey hair--here, on my temples; and my medicine-bottles +over there. I never stir without them now. + + Baron Ludwig. + +I have been distressed to hear of your illness. + + Beata. + +Yes, my heart bothers me--an old story. My heart is tired--and I--I'm +not. And when I drive it too hard it grows a little restive now and +then. But it doesn't matter! (_Enter_ Ellen.) Is that you, Ellen? Come +in, dear. + + Ellen (_in skating dress_). + +Mother, dear, I didn't know you had a visitor. How do you do, your +Excellency? + + Baron Ludwig. + +How do you do, young lady? Dear me dear me what have you been growing +into? + + Ellen. + +Into life, your Excellency! + + Baron Ludwig. + +Ha--very good--very neat. So many people just grow past it. + + Beata. + +And how was the skating, dear? + + Ellen. + +Oh, heavenly. Norbert and I simply flew. Poor Miss Mansborough--we left +her miles behind! + + Beata. + +Well, run away now. Take off your fur jacket--you're too warm. + + Ellen. + +Good-bye, your Excellency. + + Baron Ludwig. + +_Au revoir_, little Countess. (Ellen _goes out_.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +What a little wonder you've made of her! + + Beata. + +She _is_ developing, isn't she? + + Baron Ludwig. + +And my nephew Norbert--you have developed him too. A very comprehensive +piece of work. (Beata _laughs_.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +If only he doesn't stray from the path you've marked out for him. + + Beata. + +Ah--you are thinking of that pamphlet of his? + + Baron Ludwig (_nods_). + +An attack on duelling, I understand? Well, it's no business of mine. + + Beata. + +He is not as immature as you think. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Indeed? + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Conrad (_announcing_). + +Baron von Brachtmann, his Highness Prince Usingen. + + Baron Ludwig. + +The pillars of the state! Brachtmann especially. This is something for +me to remember, Countess. + + _Enter_ Brachtmann _and_ Prince. Conrad _goes out_. + + Brachtmann. + +My dear Countess---- + + Beata. + +I am so glad to see you. And you, Prince. Always faithful to the cause? + + Prince. + +Yes, Countess; as far as fidelity is consonant with perfect inactivity. +Glad to shake hands between two rounds, your Excellency. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Our encounters are not sanguinary, your Highness. + + Prince. + +No although one adversary occasionally cuts another. (_Laughter_.) + + Brachtmann. + +We ventured to call, Countess, because we fancied that Voelkerlingk +would keep you posted as to the news from Lengenfeld. + + Beata. + +Baron Voelkerlingk has done me no such honour. But--by the merest +accident--his secretary was here just now. Here are the latest returns. +(_Hands him the paper_.) + + Brachtmann (_bending over the paper_). + +H'm, h'm---- + + Prince. + +Let me see. + + Brachtmann. + +Well, we'll hope for the best. Kellinghausen's personal popularity has +secured a conservative majority till now; but now that he has withdrawn +in favour of another man--even though that man is Voelkerlingk--the +result is more than doubtful. + + Baron Ludwig. + +I confess, Countess, that even if Kellinghausen looked upon his +politics merely as a branch of sport, I don't quite understand his +sacrificing his career to my brother. + + Beata. + +My husband is very easy-going. He has no ambition. They had bothered +him dreadfully at their committee-meetings about things he didn't +understand--at least he said he didn't. The truth is, it probably bored +him. + + Brachtmann. + +But how about his fanatical devotion to the party? If we are all +monomaniacs on that subject, he is certainly the worst. He felt more +keenly than any of us what the party lost in losing your brother (_to_ +Baron Ludwig)--he realised our need of Voelkerlingk's efficiency and +energy. He saw what a great power was lying idle. Doesn't that explain +his action? + + Baron Ludwig. + +I needn't tell you, Herr von Brachtmann, how pleasant it is to hear my +brother praised. I quite realise how much you need him at this +particular moment with the debate on the civil code pending, and the +serious questions likely to come up in connection with it. (_To_ +Beata.) But that Kellinghausen should have consented to withdraw, even +in such an emergency-- I have so often heard him say, Countess, that it +was the duty of a landed proprietor to represent the district in which +his property lay. He said it was the only justification of a +representative government. + + Beata. + +But you know you, all say that! + + Prince. + +My dear Countess, the revolutionary spirit has entered into our +traditions, and the modern idea of making a revolution is to gird at +existing institutions. Why deprive us of such an innocent amusement? + + Baron Ludwig. + +Really, Prince--pardon me--but since, by birth and political +affiliations, you are a supporter of existing institutions, would it +not be well to speak of them less flippantly? + + Prince. + +Why, my dear Baron?--Countess, shall I show you the attitude of the +modern state toward its citizens? Here we are: the state with its hand +in its pocket, the citizen with his fist clenched. And the only way to +unclench the citizen's fist is for the state to pull something out of +its pocket. There's the situation in a nutshell. It's a matter of taste +whether one respects such an institution or not. + + Brachtmann. + +You know. Baron, he is the spoiled child of the party. + + Prince. + +Its prodigal son, you mean. I squandered all my original ideas long +ago, and am living on the husks of the feudal tradition. But we are +boring Madame von Kellinghausen. (_The three men rise_.) + + Beata. + +Good-bye, Prince--Herr von Brachtmann. (_To_ Baron Ludwig.) Whenever +your solitude weighs on you, come in and let me give you a cup of tea. + + Baron Ludwig. + +You are very good. But I am afraid it is too late to begin. + + Beata. + +It is never too late to renew an old friendship. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Thank you. (_Goes out with the two other men_.) + + Ellen _enters_. + + Ellen. + +(_Throwing her arms about her mother's neck_.) Mother! You dear little +mamma! + + Beata. + +Well, madcap--what is it now? + + Ellen. + +Oh, nothing, nothing. I'm so happy, that's all. + + Beata. + +What are you happy about, dear? + + Ellen. + +I don't know--does one ever? + + Beata. + +Has anything in particular happened? + + Ellen. + +No; nothing. That is--Norbert said-- Oh, yes to be sure; we met Uncle +Richard. + + Beata. + +Ah--where? + + Ellen. + +In the Zoo. On horseback. He sent his love and said he would be in +before dinner. Norbert is coming too. Mother, is it true that Uncle +Richard is such a wonderful speaker? Norbert says he can do what he +likes with people. + + Beata. + +Some people--but only those whose thoughts he can turn into feelings, +or whose feelings he can turn into thoughts. Do you understand? + + Ellen. + +Oh, yes! You mean, one can give only to those who have something to +give in return? + + Beata. + +Yes. + + Ellen. + +But he must have great power--I am sure of it! He's always so quiet, +and says so little--yet one feels there's a great fire inside--and +sometimes it blazes up. + + Beata (_laughing_). + +What do you know about it? + + Ellen. + +Oh, I know. It's just the same with-- Mother, how can people _bear_ +life sometimes? It's so beautiful one simply can't breathe! + + Beata (_with emotion_). + +Yes, it _is_ beautiful. And even when it's nothing but pain and fear +and renunciation, even then it's still beautiful, Ellen. + + Ellen (_alarmed_). + +Mother--what is the matter? + + Beata. + +Nothing, dear. I'm only a little tired. (_She goes to the door_.) + + Conrad _enters_. + + Conrad. + +Baron Norbert. (_Goes out_.) + + Norbert _enters_. + + Norbert. + +How d'ye do, Aunt Beata? How are you to-day? + + Beata (_wearily_). + +Very well, thanks. + + Ellen (_anxiously_). + +No, not very well. (Beata _signs her to be silent_.) + + Norbert. + +This is Thursday. Ellen and I were to read _I Promessi Sposi_ together; +but if I might say a word to you first---- + + Beata. + +Presently, Norbert. Wait for me here. + + Ellen. + +Don't you want me, mother? + + Beata. + +No, dear. Stay with Norbert. I shall be back in a moment. (_She goes +out_.) + + Ellen (_looking after her_). + +Oh, Norbert! + + Norbert. + +Is she really worse? + + Ellen. + +No, she is just the same as usual. But at night--oh, Norbert, she's +never in bed. All night she wanders, wanders. When I hear her coming, I +lie quite still. If she knew I was awake she might not come any more. +She never touches me, but just bends over and strokes my pillow, oh, so +softly! And she breathes so hard, as if it hurt her--and then gradually +she grows quiet again. When you see her in the daytime, so gay and dear +and busy, so full of other people's pleasures, you'd never guess the +misery she endures. Oh, Norbert, you _do_ love her, don't you? + + Norbert. + +I believe I love her better than my own mother. + + Ellen. + +No, no, Norbert, that's wicked. You mustn't say that. + + Norbert. + +Perhaps not, but I can't help feeling it. And why shouldn't I, after +all? When I was a boy my father was everything to me--after that he was +always travelling, and I was left to my own devices. There are so many +things that puzzle a chap when there's no one to talk them over with. +It's different with girls, I suppose. At first I used to go to +my mother: _she's_ always found life simple enough. Visits, and +parties, and church--she looks upon church-going as another kind of +visiting--well, do you know what _she_ said to me? "In the first place, +my dear boy, your trousers are shocking. What you need is a good +tailor. Then you ought to take up lawn tennis--and after that, we'll +see." Well, that didn't help me much. And then your mother took pity on +me. Again and again she's let me sit up half the night, talking things +over with her. + + Ellen. + +And now you and she have got something to say to each other again. What +is it, Norbert? Do tell me! Why can't _I_ help you as well as mother? + + Norbert. + +Perhaps you'd like to do my examination papers for me? + + Ellen. + +Nonsense; it's not that.--But you don't care for me any more. + + Norbert. + +You silly child! + + Ellen. + +You told me you did once--long ago--but since then--you've never +once---- + + Norbert. + +Listen, dear. I made an awful ass of myself that day. Do you know what +I did? I called on your father to ask his permission to marry you. + + Ellen. + +And you never told me? + + Norbert. + +Luckily your father was out--and as for your mother--well, she simply +laughed at me! + + Ellen. + +Oh! + + Norbert. + +Oh, you know how your mother laughs at one. It doesn't hurt. "Dear +boy," she said, in the kindest way, "it's too soon to talk of such +things to Ellen. You must give her time to grow up." And I gave her my +word I would; and you see I've kept it. + + Ellen. + +And if mother should---- + + Beata _enters_. + + Beata. + +Ellen, dear, go to Miss Mansborough. It's time for your reading. +Norbert will come in a moment. + + Ellen. + +Yes, mother. (_Goes out_.) + + Beata (_who has been watching them closely_). + +By the way, Norbert--what about that promise you made me? + + Norbert. + +I've kept it, Aunt Beata. + + Beata. + +Then you want to talk to me about something else? + + Norbert. + +Yes. The storm-signals are up. My college club has turned on me: one, +two, three, and out you go! + + Beata. + +Not in disgrace? + + Norbert. + +I'm not so sure. I got an official letter yesterday from the committee, +asking me if I was the author of a pamphlet called "The Ordeal." + + Beata. + +Why did you write it under an assumed name? + + Norbert. + +Only on my father's account. + + Beata. + +If you disguised yourself at all, you ought to have done so more +thoroughly. + + Norbert. + +Why, Aunt Beata! Haven't you often told me that every reformer must +have the courage of his convictions? + + Beata. + +Yes; but I've no sympathy with unnecessary martyrdom. Keep a cool head, +dear boy, and don't be drawn into controversy just yet. Haven't I often +told you that this college duelling you rail against is only a +preparation for the real battle of life--the battle of ideas and +beliefs? You'll come to that later--ask your father how it is! + + Norbert. + +Oh, father--of course he's only interested in big things. + + Beata. + +What does he say to your article? + + Norbert. + +Immature. + + Beata. + +Was he vexed? + + Norbert. + +When I asked him if it annoyed him, he laughed and said:--"I know the +world too well to agree with you. But you must work out the problem for +yourself. I sha'n't interfere." + + Beata. + +Well, what more do you want? Did you expect him to go into raptures? + + Norbert. + +Wait and see, Aunt Beata! I mean to suffer for my convictions. I mean +to brave persecution. Is that a laughing matter? + + Beata. + +Come! Come! No bragging--not even about persecution. It's intoxicating +at first, but the after-taste is bitter. + + Norbert. + +Don't make fun of me, Aunt Beata. + + Beata. + +Heaven forbid! You know _I_ don't disapprove of your article. + + Norbert. + +How could you? Isn't it all yours? + + Beata. + +I don't understand anything about duelling. + + Norbert. + +No, but my ideas are yours--every one of them. All I've said about +self-restraint--about striving toward an harmonious whole--about +the Greek ideal of freedom--and how posterity will smile at our +struggles--it's all yours, Aunt Beata, every word of it. + + Beata. + +Don't tell your father! And besides, it isn't. My ideas have got +twisted in that wild young brain of yours. And it might annoy him to +think that I had put them there---- + + Norbert. + +Oh, Aunt Beata, _I_ know what you really think. But, of course, if you +don't want me to, I---- + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Conrad (_announcing_). + +Baron Voelkerlingk. + + _Enter_ Richard. Conrad _goes out_. + + Richard. + +Well, dear friend? What sort of a night have you had? Not good, I'm +afraid. + + Beata. + +There's no use in trying to deceive you. Have you just come from your +own house? + + Richard. + +Yes. + + Beata. + +Well? Telegrams? + + Richard. + +None for the last two hours. Well, Norbert, you here, as usual? (_To_ +Beata.) So you have the younger generation on your hands too? + + Beata (_laughing_). + +So much the better, since the older shows itself so seldom nowadays. + + Richard. + +Ah, well---- + + Beata. + +Good-bye, Norbert dear. + + Norbert (_kissing_ Beata's _hand_). + +Good-bye, father. (Richard _nods to him_. Norbert goes out.) + + Beata. + +Will you dine with me to-day, Richard? (Richard _shakes his head_.) + + Beata. + +Just we two? + + Richard. + +I can't: my wife has a dinner: an ambassador and his wife, two lights +of the Church, and others of the same feather. I must show myself on +such occasions, to keep up appearances. + + Beata. + +I'm sorry. I should have liked to have you with me--to-day. How do you +stand the suspense? Perhaps I don't show it--but I'm in a fever. + + Richard. + +It's telling on me too. The fact is, any poor devil of a mountebank is +a king compared to one of us. He does his trick and gets his pay.--Oh, +this last fortnight! If you'd seen me driven about from village to +village like a travelling quack! Freedom and hot words, free beer and +hot sausages! And, to cap the climax, a fellow who used to be my +private secretary leading the campaign against me! Bah--it was +horrible. As for Michael, with his Olympian calm, he saw only the +humorous side of it. (_Laughing_.) + + Beata. + +I wonder he let you leave before the election. + + Richard. + +He thought I ought not to make myself too cheap. I quite agreed with +him, and took myself off. Hang the democracy! + + Beata. + +If only the noblemen who want to rule could get on without it! + + Richard. + +They could, if the spirit of the age hadn't turned them into +demagogues. + + Beata. + +Did Holtzmann do as well as you expected? + + Richard. + +Admirably. But he's been going about with such a long face lately that +he's rather got on my nerves.--I heard you had told him to come back +when the returns are in--may I wait for him here?--When one thinks that +something will come in at that door presently--something dressed like +Holtzmann, looking like Holtzmann--and that that something will be +Fate--nothing more or less than Fate! + + Beata. + +And if he comes in and says--or rather, if he doesn't say anything? +Remember, Richard, even if _that_ happens, you've got to go on living! + + Richard. + +Of course. Why not? It's all in the day's work. An Indian penitent was +once asked: "Why do you go on living?" And his answer was: "Because I +am dead."--Oh, I don't mean to be ungrateful. As long as I have you, +dear--as long as you are here to live my life with me, to give it +colour and meaning and purpose--let come what may, nothing else +matters. + + Beata. + +Don't say that--don't---- + + Richard. + +Am I exaggerating? Why, ever since we-- How long ago is it that we met +for the first time, in the wood at Tarasp? Fifteen years? + + Beata. + +It seems like yesterday. + + Richard. + +You passed between the dark pine-trunks like an apparition. You wore a +pink dress and had Ellen by the hand. + + Beata. + +She was tired and had begun to cry. + + Richard. + +I saw that she wanted to be carried. + + Beata. + +And I was just recovering from an illness, and was too weak to lift +her. You raised your hat--no, it was the white cap you wore---- + + Richard. + +Do you remember that? + + Beata. + +Good heavens, what was I then, and what have you made of me? My +own--let me call you that just once, Richard, as I used to do--just +once, on this great day--my own! (Richard _looks nervously toward the +door_.) + + Beata. + +There is no one coming. + + Richard. + +_Let_ you! + + Beata. + +What a quiet happy little woman I was! That "happy" is not meant as a +reproach, dearest! I have a boundless capacity for happiness, and it +kept me company even in the loneliness of my early married life--for in +those days Michael didn't take much notice of me. It was you who showed +him that I was worth noticing. And so you built up my new life--a hard +life to carry, at times, a life bowed under its own wealth as the vine +is bowed under its fruit--but how it has grown under your hand, +dearest, how it has spread and strengthened!--Now you're laughing at +me, Richard. + + Richard. + +Beata--no one knows as you do how I have blundered and struggled. What +are you trying to do? Do you want to give me more faith in myself, or +do you really think I've done all that for you? + + Beata. + +I know every line in your forehead, I watch every look in your eye, I +read every thought in your soul--there are some I could wish away, for +they only make you miserable--but no one knows as I do what you are, +and what you have been to me! + + Richard. + +When will Michael be here? + + Beata. + +How suddenly you ask that! You are tormenting yourself again. +Dear--dearest--don't look like that! Why, it never really +happened--it's been dead and buried for years--dead and buried, every +trace of it. No one knows what we were to each other, no one even +dreams it. And we're old people now--you and I. Only think, I shall +soon be forty! Who is going to ask two old mummies what follies they +committed in the year one? + + Richard. + +You are pretending not to care, Beata. Don't do that! + + Beata. + +Don't weigh every word I say--just look into my wicked heart. Your +conscience has nothing to do with that! And if you're fond of +Michael--if we're both fond of him--and why shouldn't we both be fond +of him--that dear, good, cheery Michael of ours?--why, that needn't +make you probe the depths of your soul for fresh wickedness. I tell you +we've paid for everything, even to the uttermost farthing! + + Richard. + +Do you think so? It seems to me that when a man and a woman have found +everything in each other, as we have, when they have been to each other +the strength and the meaning and the object of life--when they've +resolved to die fighting back to back, together to the last, as you +used to say it seems to me that in such a case there isn't much room +for expiation. If Purgatory is like that it must be fairly habitable. +(Beata _laughs_.) Ah, now you are flippant. + + Beata. + +Be thankful that one of us is, dear! + + Richard. + +I remember when I lost my seat, six years ago--it was a hard knock, I +can tell you--everything went under at once--well, I said to myself: +This is my punishment. And the idea never left me. While I was +wandering about the world, or vegetating down in the country, I +actually used to get a kind of comfort out of it. And now? Do you know, +I sometimes fancy you wouldn't be altogether sorry if I lost my +election again. + + Beata (_laughingly_). + +Really? Do you think that? + + Richard. + +In fact I'm not at all sure you hold with the party any longer. + + Beata. + +What--I, its Egeria? An elderly party-nymph gone wrong? What a shocking +idea! + + Richard. + +I'm sure of one thing you enjoy looking over our heads. + + Beata. + +Don't say _our_ heads--don't include yourself with the rest. You think +of your duty; they think of their rights. You use the masses in order +to serve them. The others think only of power. + + Richard. + +Oh, as to that--we all want power. + + Beata. + +Yes: the question is, for whose benefit?--Ah, well, I see I shall have +to tell you--you ought to know--the sooner the better, I suppose! + + Richard. + +Tell me what? + + Beata. + +Dear--did you really think it was Michael's fondest wish to resign his +seat in Parliament, and live only for his horses? + + Richard. + +I've heard him say so often enough. + + Beata. + +And so you leaped into the breach--in the interests of the party? + + Richard (_hesitating_). + +And because--(_suddenly_) Beata--there's been some deception? (Beata +_nods_.) Some one has been working against me----? + + Beata. + +Or for you--as you please.--Sit down beside me, dear; give me +both your hands--so! And now listen. I couldn't bear to see your +disappointment--your suffering--I suffered with you too intensely! And +so--don't look so startled, or I shall lose heart and be afraid to go +on.--How shall I tell you?--It's taken me a year a whole year's work. +By degrees I persuaded him that he was unsuited to Parliamentary +life--gradually I turned him against the pottering routine-work which +is the only thing he can do--little by little I made him see what a +boon it would be for the country and the party if he would only let you +take his place. Till at last he did---- + + Richard (_rising_). + +Ah---- + + Beata. + +Can you say _now_ that I didn't want you elected? (Richard _is +silent_.) I should never have told you this if I hadn't known that his +pride in his heroic feat would make him betray himself sooner or later. +(_A pause_.) After all, think how little he's given up! To him it was +only a--pastime--to you it is life. I had no choice, had I? You do see +that, don't you? (_A pause_.) Richard, I may be a very wicked woman, +but at least I deserve one look from you! + + Richard. + +Beata! Beata! What can I say? What can I say? You know how I've always +tried to keep our feeling for each other within the bounds--the bounds +of-- You know how it was twelve years ago--when I found myself +gradually slipping into intimacy with him, I came to you and said: +"Either this thing ends here, or I tell him everything. I won't take +his hand and play the sneak. If I do, we shall lose our respect for +each other as well as our self-respect." And then we hit on this +friendship as a way out of it--a way of not losing each other +altogether. It wasn't a very honourable solution--but this--this new +sacrifice--if I accept this--God! If Holtzmann were to come in now and +tell me the other man has won, what a load he would take off my mind! + + Beata. + +Richard--how can you? + + Richard. + +Think of it: To-morrow I shall have to make that speech. My position, +my convictions, compel me to appear as the spokesman of the highest +ideals--and all the while I shall owe my seat to the friend whose +holiest ties I have trampled on---- + + Beata. + +And if they were not the holiest----? + + Richard (_startled_). + +Beata! + + Beata. + +Don't turn from me. I've loved you so long! + + Richard (_clasps her hands_). + +One thing more. Listen to me. You played too reckless a game. Such +things are avenged. No one knows what happened in the past. Twelve +years have covered it; but it's ill disturbing the dead. Such things +are avenged. Remember that. + + Beata. + +Well--and what of it? + + Richard. + +What of it? + + Beata. + +I shouldn't care--except for Norbert and Ellen. For I mean them to have +all the happiness we have missed. Nothing must ever come between-- +Hush! That is Holtzmann's voice. (_She presses her left hand to her +heart_.) Quite steady. (_She holds out her right hand to_ Richard.) +Feel my pulse it's perfectly steady. + + Conrad _enters_. + + Conrad. + +Herr Holtzmann---- + + _Enter_ Holtzmann. Conrad _goes out_. + + Holtzmann (_bowing quietly_). + +We have a majority of twenty votes, Baron. Here are the final returns. +(_Hands telegram to_ Richard.) + + Richard. + +Official? + + Holtzmann. + +Virtually. As your co-worker, Baron, allow me to offer my +congratulations. (Richard _turns 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! (Holtzmann _pauses_.) 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_.) + + + Curtain. + + + + + ACT II + + + + + ACT II + + +_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 minutes_ Beata _is seen +among them_. Brachtmann, Prince Usingen _and_ von Berkelwitz-Gruenhof +_are just coming out of the billiard-room, talking together._ + + Brachtmann. + +(_Coming forward with_ Usingen.) 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. _He_ +doesn'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 (_to_ Brachtmann). + +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's_ the cure. And they _ought_ to, +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, to_ Brachtmann.) 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? (Brachtmann _shrugs 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 touches _us_, 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 Voelkerlingk's district. +(Brachtmann _nods affirmatively_.) + + von Berkelwitz. + +And the friend--the friend who----? (_He breaks off, and points vaguely +to the room_. Brachtmann _nods 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 Voelkerlingk 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 Voelkerlingk---- + + 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 +at _me_. 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 Voelkerlingk _is seen approaching. The_ Prince +_glances 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. + + _Enter_ Richard. + + 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 Voelkerlingk. You know +how badly we need you, and how anxious we are to have you take the lead +in the coming debate. (Richard _bows_.) 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 draws_ Brachtmann _aside 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 Voelkerlingk, 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 Voelkerlingk? + + Richard. + +My wife? Why do you ask? + + Brachtmann. + +Look at this. (_Leads_ Richard _to the writing-table and points to the +paper_. Richard _starts, 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, +if _you_, 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 Voelkerlingk, 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_. Brachtmann _and the_ Prince _laugh_.) + + 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. + + Kellinghausen _enters_. + + 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 Voelkerlingk +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. (_To_ Conrad, _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 being _their_ dear 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? (Richard _nods_.) + + 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 gave _me_ one. 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. + + _Enter_ Beata, _with_ Baron Ludwig von Voelkerlingk. + + 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 (_to_ Michael, _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. (_To_ Richard.) My dear Voelkerlingk, I want +to speak to you. + + Kellinghausen. + +(_To_ Richard, _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. + + Richard. + +Let her. It's her specialty. + + Beata. + +Every one knows that she never comes here, and her being here to-night +is making people talk. + + Baron Ludwig. + +(_Approaching his brother, evidently at_ Kellinghausen's +_instigation_.) Ah, here are the two friends talking together. + + Beata. + +(_Looking from one brother to the other_.) And the two enemies, +too--thank heaven! + + Baron Ludwig. + +The Countess is right, Richard. It was foolish of us not to speak to +each other. + + Richard. + +My dear Ludwig, perhaps we hadn't enough to say. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Or too much! + + Richard. + +Possibly. (_To_ Beata.) But, Countess---- + + Beata (_turning to join the others_). + +No, no. I am going to leave you two together. (_She moves away_.) + + Richard. + +Why do you look at her so strangely? + + Baron Ludwig. + +Strangely? What do you mean? + + Richard. + +You begrudge me this friendship, Ludwig. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Do I? Perhaps. You must remember that I am very lonely. I had hoped +that your house might---- + + Richard. + +My house? With Leonie----? + + Baron Ludwig. + +Yes--your friend is different from Leonie. + + Richard. + +You needn't envy me, Ludwig. My friend is a dying woman. Every day I +ask myself if I shall ever see her again. + + Baron Ludwig. + +My dear Richard, the woman lives in a thousand energies. She will +survive us both. + + Richard. + +God grant it! + + Baron Ludwig. + +But--be on your guard. + + Richard. + +What do you mean? + + Baron Ludwig. + +(_Glancing at_ Kellinghausen.) Can we find a quiet corner somewhere? +(_He takes_ Richard's _arm and they go toward the other room_.) + + _Enter_ Leonie, _on_ Norbert's _arm_. + + Leonie (_meeting the brothers_). + +What a touching spectacle! Look, Norbert! + + Baron Ludwig. + +Don't detain us, Leonie. We're going to have our photograph taken. (_He +and_ Richard _go out_.) + + Leonie (_advancing toward the front_). + +How enchanting! And Beata as the angel of peace! Quite a new role for +you, isn't it, dear? But you're _so_ versatile! + + Beata. + +Dear Leonie, find fault with me when I sow discord, but praise me when +I make peace. + + Leonie. + +Do you care so much for praise? + + Beata. + +Don't you? + + Leonie. + +Oh, no one ever praises me. I suppose I don't know how to play my +cards. Norbert, please have the carriage called. + + Norbert. + +Very well, mother. (_Goes out_.) + + Leonie. + +Ah, Prince--good-evening! (_He kisses her hand_.) How is it we never +see you at our missionary meetings? Her Royal Highness wished me to say +that she counts on your help. Isn't that flattering? (_To the others_.) +The Prince is one of us, you know. He serves the cause of religion +faithfully---- + + Prince. + +And in poverty of spirit. That's my special merit, you know, Baroness. + + Brachtmann (_aside to the_ Prince). + +You reprobate! + + Leonie. + +But pray don't let me disturb you, for I must really be off. My +carriage is waiting, and my coachman is so cross. We're all the +slaves of our carriages. (_To_ Kellinghausen.) It has been so +delightful--dear Beata is such a wonderful hostess. Our great +stateswoman knows so well how to keep her party in hand. Willingly or +unwillingly, she makes them all come into line; don't you, Beata, dear? + + Beata. + +I'm afraid you are among the unwilling to-night, Leonie. + + Leonie. + +Oh, I'm not as adaptable as some of your friends. + + Brachtmann (_aside to the_ Prince). + +Do you hear those amenities? + + Prince (_to_ Brachtmann). + +The Baroness is dispensing Christian charity sprinkled with arsenic. +Let's efface ourselves. (_They move quietly into the background_.) + + Leonie. + +(_To_ Kellinghausen, _with whom she has been talking_.) No, no, my dear +Count you mustn't think of it. Norbert will put me in my carriage. And +meanwhile, I want to have a little chat with dear Beata. We always have +so many things to say to each other. + + Kellinghausen (_kissing her hand_). + +At your orders, my dear friend. I'll draw the curtain to protect your +_tete-a-tete_. (_He draws the curtain between the columns and goes +out_.) + + Leonie. + +How wonderfully well you look to-night, Beata! Not in the least like a +prospective grandmother. + + Beata. + +Why, as to that, Leonie, it looks as though you and I were to be made +grandmothers on the same day. + + Leonie. + +Ah, really? Well, Ellen is a delightful child. Where is she, by the +way? You don't seem to care to let her be seen in your neighbourhood on +such occasions. + + Beata. + +Seen? In my neighbourhood? You have an odd way of putting things. But I +believe you had something to say to me. + + Leonie. + +I know I oughtn't to keep you from your other guests, but it's such a +pleasure to have you to myself. I wonder what has become of Norbert?--I +must say, Beata, I can't help admiring your self-possession. I don't +see how you can be so unconcerned. + + Beata. + +What should I be concerned about? + + Leonie. + +Why, you don't mean--? I should almost think you-- But I don't know how +to express myself. It's so very painful.--There are such dreadful +people in the world. + + Beata. + +Are there? + + Leonie. + +This former secretary of Richard's, for instance, who has made such a +shocking speech against him. You've received a copy, of course? + + Beata. + +Not that I know of. + + Leonie (_drawing a paper from her pocket_). + +Ah--I brought mine with me. Perhaps it might interest you. + + Beata. + +Not in the least, my dear. + + Leonie. + +You are mentioned in it, too. + + Beata (_smiling_). + +Really? + + Leonie. + +Only between the lines, of course. + + Beata. + +Between the lines? What do you mean? + + Leonie. + +This is the paragraph; the one marked with a blue pencil. Don't be +horrified. It will make you laugh, of course. I laughed over it myself. +(Beata _takes the paper, looking firmly at_ Leonie _as she does so. She +reads the paper, throws it aside, and looks at_ Leonie _again, without +speaking_.) Good heavens, how pale you are! I didn't realise-- Shall I +get you a glass of water? + + Beata. + +No, thanks. (_Controlling herself with an effort_.) Does Richard know +of this? + + Leonie. + +Oh, yes. Doesn't Michael? + + Beata. + +Certainly not.--He would have-- Will you let me have this paper? + + Leonie. + +To show Michael? + + Beata. + +Naturally. In a matter involving his honour---- + + Leonie. + +You don't mean to make a scandal? + + Beata. + +What do you call a scandal? Haven't you made one in bringing me this? + + Leonie. + +I mean that your husband might---- + + Beata. + +My husband will do as he sees fit. + + Leonie. + +You are very sure of yourself. + + Beata. + +My dear Leonie, remember that you are in my house. + + Leonie. + +My dear Beata, we are always in each other's houses; we can't meet at +the street corners, like servants. + + Beata. + +You are right. Say what you were going to say. + + Leonie. + +Oh, I have held my tongue so long! + + Beata. + +Why have you, if you had anything to say? + + Leonie. + +Listen, Beata. I am not going to discuss the relations between my +husband and yourself. It's a subject that no longer interests me. But +it was you who took him away from me, and when I found you had taken +him, I turned to my boy instead. Then you took him too. Now I have +nothing left--nothing but my position in society, which I have built up +slowly, year by year, by my own efforts, as you know. I am in the +Princess Agnes's most intimate set, I am patroness of--but all this +doesn't interest you. But how have I accomplished it? Simply by +keeping my eyes shut and appearing to sanction your friendship with +Richard.--And now, if you persist in dragging your husband in, there +will be a scandal, and I shall have to sue for a divorce; and that will +be excessively unpleasant for us all. Don't you agree with me? + + Beata. + +I might say so many things in reply.--In the first place, whatever I +have taken was never really yours.--But no matter. I will only ask you +one thing: have you thought of Ellen and Norbert? + + Leonie. + +Oh, Ellen and Norbert! I've no objection to the match, none +whatever--but it's _your_ scheme, not mine, and you can't expect me to +be particularly enthusiastic about it. But I should think it would be +one more reason for _you_ to keep quiet. + + Beata. + +Then--if you don't mean to do anything--why did you bring me this? + + Leonie (_with irrepressible triumph_). + +Why did I bring it? Because I--(_relapses into her usual +amiability_)--I thought it might interest you, and you see I was not +mistaken. Ah, here comes Norbert! + + _Enter_ Norbert. + + Norbert. + +I'm sorry to have kept you, mother. The carriage was-- (_Startled_.) +Why, Aunt Beata, what's the matter? + + Beata (_making an effort to smile_). + +Nothing, Norbert, dear. + + Leonie. + +Well, good-bye, Beata. Do be careful of yourself! I should be so sorry +to think I had done anything to excite you. Come, Norbert, you must put +me in the carriage, and then you can come back to your dear aunt. + + Norbert. + +I beg your pardon, mother, but I think Aunt Beata needs me now. If +you'll wait for me a moment downstairs---- + + Leonie. + +What did I say? I congratulate you, Beata! (_She goes out alone_.) + + Norbert. + +What has she been saying to you? + + Beata. + +Oh, she was right--so right! + + Norbert (_alarmed_). + +Aunt Beata! + + Beata (_with an effort_). + +Norbert--my son--take me to Ellen. In a few minutes I shall be +quite---- + + Norbert. + +Come, come-- (_Leads her gently out. Sounds of talk and laughter come +from the inner room_.) + + _Enter_ Kellinghausen. + + Kellinghausen. + +(_Putting his head through the curtains_.) Ha! No one there? Have our +wives made way with each other? (_To_ Richard, _who has followed him_.) +They're not so deuced fond of one another. I say, old man, just now, +when I was talking about the elections, why did you all put on that air +of statesmanlike reserve? Did I say anything out of the way? + + Richard. + +What an absurd idea! + + Kellinghausen. + +One is always liable to make an ass of one's self. I'm not conscious of +having blundered, but--oh, well, I sha'n't get anything out of you. +(_Raising the curtain and calling out_--) Brachtmann--Usingen--come +here a moment. + + Richard. + +Michael, if you take my advice we'll drop the election for the present. +I give you my word that if anything occurs that reflects on you---- + + Kellinghausen. + +On me? Reflects on me? What on earth do you mean? I'm thinking of the +party. Our business is to look out for the party. + + _Enter_ Brachtmann _and the_ Prince, _followed a moment or two later + by_ Norbert. + + Brachtmann. + +Hear, hear! But what are you talking about? + + Kellinghausen (_to_ Norbert). + +Aha, young man, where have you come from? Tea in the school-room, eh? + + Norbert. + +Aunt Beata was not very well, Uncle Michael. (Richard _starts_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +Ah? + + Norbert. + +She is feeling better now. She will be here in a few minutes. + + Kellinghausen. + +That's good--that's good. By the way, Master Norbert, we're going to +put you through your paces. How about this so-called "Ordeal," eh? Do +you own up to it? + + Norbert. + +I'm proud to, Uncle. At least, no--not so very proud; for I've found +out lately that it's all been said before, a thousand times better than +I've said it. + + Brachtmann. + +And also by a member of the Conservative party? + + Norbert. + +Well--no--not exactly. + + Brachtmann. + +Ah--but that's the point. + + Norbert. + +I beg your pardon, Herr von Brachtmann, I thought truth was truth, no +matter who uttered it. + + Prince. + +What is truth? said Pilate. + + Norbert. + +And washed his hands. We also wash our hands of many things, your +Highness. I have even heard it said that the use of soap and water is +the only thing that distinguishes us from the masses. But no matter how +much washing we do, we can't wash off the blood we have shed in the +abuse of our class-privileges. + + Prince (_to_ Richard). + +Very neatly parried. He has a good wrist. + + Richard. + +My dear Norbert, will you give your venerable parent a hearing? We have +left far behind us many of what you call our "class-privileges"; but +their traditional spirit still survives. And that spirit, whether the +modern world condemns it, or the middle-classes make it ridiculous by +aping it--that spirit is the safeguard of our order. Believe me, +Norbert, we must stand or fall by it. + + Norbert. + +Then we must fall, father. + + Richard. + +Possibly--even probably. But meanwhile the one distinction we have left +is the right to dispose of our lives. When a nobleman of the Italian +Renaissance, or a young blade of the court of Louis XIII., crossed the +threshold of his house, he was never sure of re-entering it alive. That +was what gave him his audacity, his splendid indifference to danger. +Today we no longer stake our lives so lightly; but the fact that they +are ours to stake still gives its keenest edge to living. + + The Others. + +Hear! Hear! + + Norbert. + +My dear father, you have given us an admirable explanation of the +personal view of death. But life is not a personal matter at all. You +have said so often enough. Our lives belong to the ideals for which we +fight, they belong to the state or to the race---- + + Kellinghausen. + +And how about our personal sense of honour? What of that, Norbert? Are +we to be forbidden to defend with our lives the few things we hold +sacred on earth? May we no longer fall upon the scoundrel who assails +them? You will hardly convince us of that, Norbert. + + Richard. + +Then again, Norbert, there may be cases--you are too young to have +foreseen them, but they exist--where an honourable man may have done +irreparable injury to another's honour. If he admits his guilt, and +satisfaction is demanded of him, what is he to do? Is he to run away, +or to shelter himself behind the law? The law, which was made to +protect the honour of serfs! Should you expect that of him, Norbert? + + Norbert. + +If your man of honour admits his guilt, and is ready to pay the +penalty, let him be his own judge. + + Richard. + +H'm---- + + Norbert. + +But I beg your pardon, father; that is hardly the point. It was all +very well for the aristocracy to make its own laws when it had +the power to enforce them; but what is to become of its precious +"class-privileges" when the modern world laughs at them and the mob +refuses to recognise them? When that day comes, I don't see what we can +do but take shelter behind the law. + + Kellinghausen. + +I don't understand you, Norbert. Give us an instance. + + Norbert. + +Nothing easier, Uncle Michael. What do you propose to do with the +scoundrel who has been insulting you in his electioneering speeches? +(_There is a startled movement among his listeners_.) You don't mean to +challenge _him_, I suppose? + + Kellinghausen. + +What do you----? + + Norbert. + +Unless you treat the whole matter with silent contempt and I fancy +you'll hardly do that it seems to me that a libel suit is the only +alternative. + + Kellinghausen. + +Norbert--are you dreaming--or---- + + Norbert. + +Why--Uncle Michael--didn't you know? + + Prince. + +_Now_ you've done it, young man! + + Kellinghausen. + +Do any of you know what he's driving at? + + Brachtmann. + +Yes. + + Kellinghausen. + +Richard, what does this mean? What is going on behind my back? You call +yourself my friend--why have you kept me in the dark? + + Richard (_very quietly_). + +In the first place, dear Michael, we only heard of the business an hour +or two ago; in the second place (_as he speaks_, Beata _enters from +behind_), I am mixed up in it myself. + + Kellinghausen. + +You? In a slander that concerns me? (Richard _nods without speaking_.) +Then there was all the more reason---- + + Brachtmann. + +My dear Kellinghausen, the fault is mine. For the sake of the party, I +asked Voelkerlingk not to-- + + Prince (_suddenly noticing_ Beata). + +H'm. Perhaps we had better-- (_he advances toward_ Beata). My dear +Countess---- + + Beata _enters quietly_. + + Beata. + +Don't be afraid. I know what you are speaking of. I know all about it. +Michael, if these gentlemen would allow us to talk the matter over by +ourselves---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Thank you, my dear. But I think you had better keep out of it. +Richard--Brachtmann--if you'll come to my study---- (_They both +assent_.) + + Richard (_approaching_ Beata). + +I will say good-night, Countess. + + Beata. + +Good-night, my dear Voelkerlingk. (_Rapidly, in a low voice, as he bends +above her hand_.) Does he know? + + Richard (_in the same tone_). + +Not yet. + + Beata (_aloud, with conventional cordiality_). + +I shall see you to-morrow? (Richard _bows, and follows the other men +toward the door_.) + + + Curtain. + + + + + ACT III + + + + + ACT III + + +_The same scene: in the afternoon_. Holtzmann _is waiting. Enter_ +Kellinghausen _in hat and fur-lined coat_. + + Kellinghausen. + +Ah, Holtzmann--this is very good of you. I'm extremely obliged to you +for coming. (_Shakes hands with him_.) Sorry to have kept you waiting. +(_Takes off his hat and coat_.) Sit down--sit down.--That is,--perhaps +we'd better-- Oh, well, my wife's not likely to come in just now.--A +cigarette? + + Holtzmann. + +Thanks. I don't smoke. + + Kellinghausen (_lighting a cigarette_). + +You remember Meixner the fellow who gave us such a lot of trouble +during the elections? I believe you and he have crossed swords once or +twice in public; and didn't you tell me that you knew him personally? +When was it that you ran across him? + + Holtzmann. + +There was only one inn in the village, and his room and mine were on +the same landing. The meeting was over at eleven, and I went to bed +soon after. About midnight in walks Meixner, as cool as you please, and +sits down on my bed. "We haven't finished that argument yet. Let's have +it out now," he said. And there he sat till six in the morning. + + Kellinghausen. + +(_Takes a copy of the_ "_Lengenfeld News_" _out of his pocket and +glances at it_.) Did that happen before or after the twelfth of +January? + + Holtzmann. + +It happened before he made that speech. + + Kellinghausen (_startled_). + +What? You knew----? + + Holtzmann. + +Why--naturally. + + Kellinghausen. + +Herr Holtzmann, we were in the train together for hours. We drove +together for miles. I have always treated you as a friend. Why did you +never speak of this? (Holtzmann _remains silent_.) Let me tell you one +thing: you can't put me off with a shrug. If you think you can, you +don't know me. + + Holtzmann. + +I beg your pardon, Count Kellinghausen--but I must remind you that I am +not in your service. + + Kellinghausen. + +My dear Herr Holtzmann, you are known as one of the most zealous +supporters of our party. Probably you attach some importance to that +fact. Your silence in this matter surprises me, and I shall not fail to +draw my own conclusions. + + Holtzmann (_rising_). + +You must draw what conclusions you please, sir. Personally I have +nothing to gain by serving your party. I might have a living at any +moment, and if I have preferred, for the present, to devote myself to +politics, it was only because I thought I could be of use to the cause. + + Kellinghausen (_after a pause_). + +I have offended you. You must make allowances for my excitement--this +business has unnerved me. (_Holds out his hand_.) Sit down again and +let me ask you a question. Has this Meixner any recognised standing in +his party, or is he merely a hanger-on? + + Holtzmann. + +He must have a certain standing, since he is their candidate for the +next election. + + Kellinghausen. + +Ha! ha! A nice lot they are! Well, the gentleman has given us his +measure by sending copies of this paper to the wives of the men he +attacks. + + Holtzmann. + +If he has done that, sir, can you guess his reasons? + + Kellinghausen. + +No. Can you? + + Holtzmann. + +Perhaps---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Well----? + + Holtzmann. + +I'm sorry, sir--but I can't say anything more just now. + + Kellinghausen (_rising_). + +Good-day, then, Herr Holtzmann. + + Holtzmann. + +My respects to you, sir. (_Goes out_.) + + Kellinghausen (_giving way to his rage_). + +Hounds! Brigands! Damn them! All tarred with the same brush---- + + Beata _enters_. + + Beata (_quietly_). + +Flying into a passion won't mend matters, Michael. + + Kellinghausen. + +And I can't make you out, either. Here they are, throwing mud +at us--calling you I won't say what--and you stand there +like--like--Haven't you got any blood in your veins? Don't you realise +what it all means? + + Beata. + +I haven't much strength to spare, and I have to economise my emotions. + + Kellinghausen. + +Good God--how white you are! Don't mind me--I'll pull myself together. +We won't talk of the damned thing any more. + + Beata. + +It will be the first time in twenty years that we haven't talked over +what you had on your mind. + + Kellinghausen. + +I wish to heaven I'd never told you of it. The devil take Leonie! She +can't hold her cursed meddling tongue; Richard ought to muzzle her. By +the way, it's strange he hasn't shown himself to-day. + + Beata. + +I have had a note from him. He asked me to tell you that he is deep in +his speech. He is coming as soon as he has a moment to spare. + + Kellinghausen. + +There you are again! Just when the man needs a clear head for the great +work that's before him, he finds himself involved in this filthy-- Ah, +well, I'll have the dogs by the throat yet! I'll have them howling for +mercy! + + Beata. + +Do calm yourself, Michael. Look--your face is all on fire. You know +it's bad for you to excite yourself. + + Kellinghausen. + +There, there--I'm quiet again. Don't I always do what you tell me? Ah, +if I hadn't had _you_ all these years, the Lord knows what would have +become of me! + + Beata. + +Then, on the whole, I've been--satisfactory? + + Kellinghausen (_laughing_). + +That sounds as if you were asking for a reference. + + Beata. + +Perhaps I am. I want to have one to show in case of need. + + Kellinghausen. + +And when do you expect to need it? + + Beata. + +Who knows? + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Conrad (_announcing_). + +Baron Brachtmann. + + Kellinghausen (_to_ Beata). + +Do you wish to see him? + + Beata. + +Yes. + + _Enter_ Brachtmann. Conrad _goes out_. + + Brachtmann. + +(_Bows to_ Kellinghausen _and kisses_ Beata's _hand_.) I am sorry we +were not on our guard yesterday, Countess. Even if you had to know of +this stupid business, you needn't have heard of it till it had blown +over. + + Beata. + +Don't reproach yourself, Baron. I should have been sorry to miss such a +chance of enlarging my knowledge of human nature. + + Brachtmann. + +Well, at all events, I beg of you both not to take it too seriously. +And as for you, my dear Kellinghausen, I say again as I've said before: +for God's sake, keep out of the courts. + + Kellinghausen. + +Ah----? + + Brachtmann. + +Why, my dear man, haven't I been accused of arson and forgery? Haven't +I been charged with bribing my constituents to perjure themselves--not +to speak of my dodging my taxes, and other sleight-of-hand +performances? That's merely the political way of poking fun. + + Kellinghausen. + +H'm--your digestion must be stronger than mine. But those charges +concerned no one but yourself; if I stood alone in this business, I +might see the humour of it. But let them beware how they attack my +family! Besides, I've taken steps already---- + + Brachtmann. + +What have you done? + + Kellinghausen. + +I got hold of my counsel this morning. He has made out a retraction +which the scoundrel is to sign. If he won't sign it, we'll take other +means. He is to be at my lawyer's at three o'clock. + + Beata (_starting up_). + +What? To-day? + + Kellinghausen. + +To-day. The sooner the better. By the way, what time is it? I must be +on hand myself. Brachtmann, will you come with me? + + Brachtmann. + +I was going to propose it. (_While_ Kellinghausen _puts on his coat, he +turns to_ Beata.) If you have any influence over him, for heaven's +sake---- + + Beata (_in a low voice_). + +I can do nothing. + + Kellinghausen. + +Well, dear, good-bye. If Richard turns up, be sure you make him wait. I +shall be back in an hour. (Kellinghausen _and_ Brachtmann _go out_.) + + Beata. + +(_Closing her eyes, with a miserable smile_.) In an hour! + + _Enter_ Ellen. + + Ellen (_in the doorway_). + +Mother! + + Beata. + +Come in, dear child. + + Ellen (_kneeling down beside her_). + +Mother, mother dear, what has happened? What is it? Papa is so excited +and talks to himself so strangely--and you--oh, mother! + + Beata (_smiling_). + +Well what have I done? + + Ellen. + +If I tell you, you won't--won't stay away? You'll come and lean over my +bed every night--just as you've always done? + + Beata (_surprised_). + +Then you're awake--when I come? + + Ellen. + +Always, always. I never go to sleep till I've heard you. + + Beata. + +Dearest! And yet you never stirred! + + Ellen. + +Oh, I prided myself on that! But last night it was so hard to keep +quiet. I could feel your tears on my face--oh, how you were crying! And +I did so want to cry with you. But I held my breath and lay as still as +I could.--Mother, what has happened? Won't you tell me? I'm not a child +any longer. + + Beata. + +Listen, dear. I want to ask you a question. Is there any one in the +world--besides your father and me--that you're very fond of? + + Ellen (_softly_). + +You know, mother. I don't have to tell you things---- + + Beata. + +Some one you're so fond of that you could live for him--or even die for +him? + + Ellen. + +There's nothing in the world I wouldn't do for him! + + Beata. + +(_Softly stroking her hair and cheeks_.) H'm---- + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Conrad (_announcing_). + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + + Beata (_to Ellen_). + +Go, dear. That is all I wanted to know. + + Ellen. + +Mother! (_Goes out_.) + + _Enter_ Dr. Kahlenberg. Conrad _goes out_. + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + +You sent for me, Countess? Nothing wrong, I hope? + + Beata. + +Why, this is your hour for consultations, isn't it? + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + +Oh, there was no one there but two or three whining women. The kind +that can be cured by the atmosphere of a fashionable doctor's +waiting-room; so I'm letting them wait. + + Beata. + +(_Listening, as though to make sure that they are alone_.) I sha'n't +keep you long. Doctor you know how often I have said to you: "My dear +friend, I've got to live--I've simply got to live; show me how--" and +how you've always answered: "The only way is to avoid excitement." +Well--I've borne that in mind--I've schooled myself to look at life +through a tombstone, as it were--my own tombstone, doctor! I've done +that. But now--now there are storms ahead, perhaps disasters. If they +come, my judgment and energy are equal to them--but my valves are not. +I found that out last night--it was only those drops of yours that +saved me. But I can't live on those drops--you've warned me not to take +them too often. And I don't want to die of this. Doctor, you must help +me! + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + +Why, what's the meaning of all this? H'm. You're right. Strophanthus +and digitalis are not meant for human nature's daily food. Besides, the +effect might wear off.--My dear Countess, take your courage in both +hands and run away. Turn your back on all these emotions. Human life is +simply a process of molecular adjustment complicated by moral +idiosyncrasies. + + Beata (_laughing_). + +I'm so glad to know it, doctor. (_Growing serious_.) But there is no +time to run away. The storm may break in an hour. + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + +Child, what has happened? Ah, well, I never ask questions.--In an +hour?--I am going home to despatch my whining women, and then I'll drop +in again and see what has happened in the interval. + + Beata. + +And if to-day is only the prelude? + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + +So much the better. Then we shall have time to look the thing in the +face. Meanwhile I'll give you something new to take--something that +your system hasn't got used to. We physicians have a supply of such +remedies to tide us over bad places. + + Beata. + +Thank you. + + Dr. Kahlenberg. + +Give me both hands, Countess. You and I know death too well to be much +afraid of it. But if you want to live I'll do my best to help you. And +now I'll go and assure my other patients that they're really ill. +Good-bye. (_He goes out. In the hall he is heard greeting_ Norbert.) + + _Enter_ Norbert. + + Norbert. + +Aunt Beata, I'm so glad to see you looking so well. I was almost +afraid---- + + Beata. + +It always cheers me to see you, Norbert. And to-day especially---- + + Norbert. + +To-day? + + Beata. + +'Sh--to-day is a lucky day. + + Norbert. + +Lucky? In what way? + + Beata. + +Wait and see! Wait and see! + + Norbert. + +I say, Aunt Beata, you're not making fun of me? I don't half like the +way you're smiling to yourself. + + Beata. + +Well, you must make the best of it, dear boy! + + Norbert. + +Aunt Beata--you're _not_ the same since yesterday. I knew it all along. +What a beastly business life is! You--you--of all women!--that they +should dare attack you! The scoundrels--the miserable sneaking +scoundrels! + + Beata. + +Norbert, dear, you must see that this is a matter we can't discuss. +Besides, I have something else to talk to you about. Can you tell me +what time it is? + + Norbert. + +Half-past four. + + Beata. + +Will you ring for the lamps, please? Ring twice. (Norbert _rings_.) I +have only a few minutes to spare, but it won't take long to-- (Conrad +_brings in two lamps, and draws the curtains_) to tell you what +I-- (_She hesitates, constrained by_ Conrad's _presence_.) This is Miss +Mansborough's afternoon. She has probably gone out. (Conrad _leaves the +room_.) You will find Ellen alone in her sitting-room--go and look for +her--and when you find her, put your arms about her, and say to her, +"I love you, and I shall always love you, in this world and the +next"--provided there is any next! + + Norbert. + +Aunt Beata! (_Falls on his knees before her and hides his face in her +lap_.) + + Beata (_struggling with her tears_). + +And then sit down in the twilight, you and Ellen, quietly, side by +side, and talk of all the happiness that is coming to you and of all +the good you mean to do. Let it be your hour of consecration. And I +shall be with you all the while--feeling your happiness, thinking your +thoughts--all through this next hour of my life.--Now go, Norbert. I +hear some one coming--it must be your father. I will tell him--go, +dear, go. + + Norbert. + +Aunt Beata! (_Kisses her hand_.) + + Beata. + +Your hour of consecration remember that, Norbert. (Norbert _goes out_.) + + _Enter_ Richard. + + Richard. + +What has happened? You look radiant. + + Beata. + +(_Taking his hand and holding it fast_.) I have settled the future of +our children. No matter what happens to us-- Why, Richard, aren't you +the least bit pleased?--Oh, how ill you look! + + Richard. + +What sort of a night did you have, Beata? + + Beata. + +Not so bad.--And how goes the speech? Are you in sight of land? + + Richard. + +Beata--I don't know if I shall be able to speak to-morrow. + + Beata (_alarmed_). + +But you must. You must. They all count on you. Dear, you _must_. Is it +because of that wretched business last night? + + Richard. + +Partly, I suppose. This new danger has stirred up the whole past. + + Beata. + +And your conscience is bothering you again? + + Richard. + +You call it conscience, Beata; I call it consistency. How dare I speak +on this bill, how dare I take such a stand before God and man, when my +whole life gives me the lie?--Good God!--To stand up and talk about the +sanctity of marriage--about the family life as the main support of +society--to parade such an argument before the cynics of the +Opposition, when with my own hands I have helped to tear down that very +support--no, no, I can't justify myself without adopting their own +cynical and materialistic creed. And not even then; for what I call God +they call social expediency; and this new idol of theirs is more +exacting than the Jehovah of the old dispensation. As to acknowledging +that words are one thing and actions another--that the man in me is not +accountable to the statesman--well, I haven't sunk as low as that--what +I give I must give without an afterthought.--And so all my ideas +crumble into dust, all my reasoning ends in contradiction--and I find +myself powerless to plead the very cause I have at heart! + + Beata. + +But why, dearest, why? + + Richard. + +Forgive me. I am so tired; my mind is a blank. First that dreadful +scene last night, when a moment's hesitation would have ruined us both. +Then my long night at my desk--the superhuman effort of collecting my +thoughts after all I'd been through. But as I worked, my subject took +such hold of me that I've only just waked up to the question--how on +earth is it all to end? (Beata _is silent_.) Oh, Beata, the truth, the +truth! Oh, to be at one with one's self! To have the right to +stand up openly for one's convictions! I would give everything for +it--happiness, life itself, everything! + + Beata. + +And yet you love life. + + Richard. + +I? No--not now. Now that our falsehood is closing in on us, death would +be--but don't be frightened; I shall do nothing foolish. There are two +of us, and we must hold together. I am so used to sharing every thought +with you.--What has happened since yesterday? I suppose Michael has +given up the absurd idea of prosecuting the man. + + Beata. + +On the contrary. + + Richard. + +What? + + Beata. + +At this moment he has probably found out whatever your former secretary +knows about us. + + Richard. + +What on earth do you mean? + + Beata. + +I haven't interrupted you, dear, because speaking seemed to clear your +thoughts. But I haven't attempted to answer you, because every minute +is precious. + + Richard. + +Hasn't Brachtmann been here? + + Beata. + +Brachtmann came too late. + + Richard. + +Then----? + + Beata. + +Even if he had come sooner he could not have prevented anything. +Dearest, Michael may come back at any moment, and when he comes we must +be ready---- + + Richard. + +Don't go on, Beata. Let us suppose the worst: say that Meixner has +unearthed a few suspicious circumstances--what use can he make of them? +He can't produce any proofs. + + Beata. + +Who knows? + + Richard. + +Where are they to come from? The few letters we exchanged were burnt +long ago. Copies are not admitted as evidence. He will not be allowed +to testify on oath. We have only to keep ourselves in hand as well as +we did yesterday, and the whole story will fall to the ground. + + Beata. + +And Michael? + + Richard. + +Michael? + + Beata. + +Suppose he questions you? + + Richard. + +There can be but one answer, I think. + + Beata. + +In our class there is something we call a "word of honour." If he asks +you for _that_--? You don't answer. + + Richard (_confused, breathing heavily_). + +We haven't reached that point yet, Beata--and if he does--why, we two +are chained together by our past, we are answerable to no one but +ourselves. That is all there is left to us. + + Beata. + +Is that your answer? You, who tell me you have wrestled with yourself +all night because--Richard, I don't believe you! + + Richard. + +Believe me or not, but be sure that, whatever happens, no suspicion +shall fall on you--on either of us. And now I beg of you--let me see +Michael alone. + + Beata (_smiling_). + +Alone? + + Richard. + +I---- + + Beata (_still smiling_). + +Hush! Do you hear his latch-key? + + Richard. + +Beata, I implore you. You are not fit to bear what is coming! If you +value your life, go---- + + Beata. + +I value yours, and therefore I shall stay. + + _Enter_ Kellinghausen. + + Kellinghausen (_very gravely_). + +Good-afternoon, Richard. (_Shakes hands with him_.) + + Richard. + +Good-afternoon, Michael. + + Kellinghausen (_to_ Beata). + +Has any one been here? + + Beata. + +Norbert--and Dr. Kahlenberg. No one else. + + Kellinghausen. + +Kahlenberg? At this hour? Is any one ill? + + Beata. + +No. He merely came to see me. Shall I give you some tea? + + Kellinghausen. + +Thanks, no. Richard, you don't want any either? Then, if you'll come +into my study---- + + Richard. + +With pleasure. + + Beata. + +Michael, I don't understand you. You have never shut me out from your +counsels. Hitherto, if I have taken part in your discussions, it was +because you wished me to; to-day I have a right to be here. + + Kellinghausen. + +My dear child, don't you always have your way? If Richard doesn't +object---- + + Richard. + +Whatever you wish---- + + Beata. + +But first I want to give you a piece of good news. Norbert and Ellen +are engaged. + + Kellinghausen (_his face lighting up_). + +Ha? What? Those two children? I saw it coming, bless their hearts!--but +I'd no notion--where are they, Beata? (_Goes to door, left_.) + + Richard (_in a low tone, to_ Beata). + +He knows nothing. + + Beata (_with an effort_). + +Michael--never mind--don't speak to them now! To-morrow Norbert +will---- (_She breathes painfully_. Richard _makes a startled +movement_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +What is it? Are you ill? + + Beata. + +No--no, it's nothing. But happiness reverberates so! Norbert is coming +back to-morrow. He wishes to tell his mother first. + + Kellinghausen. + +Ah, that's thoughtful of him. I had forgotten about his mother. Well, +shake hands, old man. Confound it--I'm ashamed to look you in the face +with this cursed thing hanging over us. And to think how happy we three +might be--oh, that hound, that vile infamous hound! + + Richard. + +Tell me what happened, Michael. + + Kellinghausen. + +There isn't much to tell. My lawyer had a talk with him. He says his +only object is to bring out the facts. + + Richard (_after a short pause_). + +Well--let him bring them out. + + Kellinghausen. + +Let him? You should have heard Brachtmann. The man was beside himself. +He began with the old story of the Frenchman who said that if he were +accused of stealing the towers of Notre Dame he would take the first +train for the frontier. "No matter how blameless you all are, the lie +will stick to you," he said. "It will stick to you and to your children +and to your party." I had to give him my word of honour that, whatever +happens, I will do nothing to bring scandal on the party. + + Richard. + +But you haven't stuck to your resolve? + + Kellinghausen. + +How could I? We can't wring the scoundrel's neck without landing +ourselves in prison. Norbert was right yesterday. In such cases we have +no refuge left but the courts. There is more in that boy's ideas than I +was willing to admit at the time. Well--meanwhile I've agreed to think +the matter over for twenty-four hours. A mere formality, of course--and +yet not quite, after all. The fact is, I wanted to talk it out with +you. + + Richard. + +Very well. + + Kellinghausen. + +Beata--Richard--I don't need to be told that there's nothing wrong in +this house--nothing wrong between you two, to put it plainly. I can see +that for myself. But in such a dirty business the most harmless fact +may be used against you; and you won't misunderstand me if I ask +you--both-- You see, you two have always been in such close sympathy--I +don't say that to reproach you--God forbid! It was natural +enough--you're both so much cleverer than I am--but I ask you, for all +our sakes, to look back and try to remember if you've ever written each +other any letters that might--might seem--to an outsider--a little +too friendly? Good heavens! _I_ should understand it if you had! +Or--or--have you ever written anything about _me_? Anything that +might--? There are plenty of things to criticise about me. But I must +know the truth. There must not be the least pretext for this attack. I +ask you to stop and consider. + + Richard. + +There is nothing to consider, my dear Michael. + + Kellinghausen. + +Not so fast, my dear fellow! Take time. Think the matter over. + + Richard. + +There is nothing to think over. + + Kellinghausen. + +Beata----? + + Beata. + +My answer is the same as Richard's, of course. + + Kellinghausen. + +Richard, our fate is in your hands. Do you advise me to bring suit? + + Richard. + +Oh--if you ask my advice---- + + Kellinghausen. + +I don't ask your advice but your assurance. I have pledged myself not +to endanger the party. Give me your word of honour that I can bring +suit without doing so. + + Richard (_straightening himself_). + +I give you my word of honour that--you---- (Beata _gives a suppressed +cry_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +What is the matter? What ails you? + + Beata (_looking at_ Richard). + +He will give you his word of honour, and then he will go home and blow +his brains out. Don't you see it in his face? + + Kellinghausen. + +What do you mean? + + Richard. + +Kellinghausen, ask your wife to leave the room, and I will---- + + Beata. + +Richard, for fifteen years we have shared all our joys and sorrows. We +must share this too. + + Kellinghausen. + +(_Half strangled, tearing his collar open, and then throwing himself +on_ Richard.) You--you--you! + + Richard (_seizing both his hands_). + +Michael, take care! This must be between ourselves. Remember that. + + Kellinghausen. + +Yes--yes--yes; I pledged my word--I remember--I--oh, you--you---- (_He +sinks down in a chair near the table, and hides his face with tearless +sobs_.) + + Beata (_approaching him after a pause_). + +Dear Michael, Richard and I conquered our feelings long ago. That is +why we are so calm now. What happened between us happened years ago, +and we are ready to pay the cost, whatever it is. + + Kellinghausen. + +Oh, as far as he's concerned, it's simple enough. He and I can soon +settle our account. + + Richard. + +Yes. + + Kellinghausen. + +But you--you--how can you justify yourself? How have you reconciled it +to your conscience to live beside me half a lifetime with this thing +between us? Why didn't you come and ask me to set you free? + + Beata. + +Yes--that was what _he_ wanted--he has such a sense of honour! And to +this day he has never understood why I wouldn't. I loved him too well +to ruin his life--that's all. Even if he could have got a divorce and +married me, such a marriage would have been his ruin. I should simply +have finished the work that Leonie had begun. But what I wanted was to +save him. And so all these years I have lied for him---- + + Kellinghausen. + +And what have you done for _me_? Or didn't I enter into your +calculations? + + Beata. + +Michael, you must see that we can't discuss that now. It would be +laughable if I were to try to explain to you---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Ha! Ha! Lies and deception! Wife--friend--everything! Everything! (_To_ +Richard.) Why do you stand there as if you were struck dumb? Why don't +_you_ try and whitewash yourself too? + + Richard. + +You said just now that our account was easy to settle. + + Beata. + +He sees things differently. I speak for myself. He looks at things as +you do. + + Kellinghausen. + +And yet---- + + Beata. + +Wait, please! I have one word more to say, I have staked everything and +lost--it's all over for us, all three of us. If I had spoken years ago, +the same thing would have happened. You told me just now that I had +made you happy. Well, that is what my lie has done. It has made you +happy for fifteen years. Blame me for it--but don't forget it---- + + Kellinghausen. + +And God--and retribution? Do you never think of such things? No +repentance--no remorse? Nothing? Nothing? + + Richard. + +Spare her, Michael. Let me answer for her. (Kellinghausen _advances +toward him with clenched fist_.) + + Beata. + +You have questioned _me_, Michael; let me question you. Must every +natural instinct end in remorse and repentance? Sin? I am not conscious +of sinning. I did the best that it was in me to do. I simply refused to +be crushed by your social laws. I asserted my right to live; my right +to self-preservation. Perhaps it was another way of suicide--that's no +matter. You know what my life has been--how I've had to buy it, hour by +hour and drop by drop, at the nearest chemist's--well, wretched as it +is, I've loved it too dearly to disown it now! Yes, I've loved it--I've +loved everything--everything around me--you too, Michael--ah, don't +laugh--yes, you too--even if I've--ah-- (_Her breath comes in long +gasps and she reels and clutches a chair, closing her eyes as she leans +against it. Then she opens them again_.) Which one of you will--help me +to the door? (Richard _makes a movement, and then draws back_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +Beata, from now on there will be no one to help you. + + Beata. + +Thank you. (_With an intense effort, she walks out of the room_.) + + Kellinghausen (_to_ Richard). + +And now----? + + Richard. + +Do what you like. Say what you like. Curse me--shoot me. I sha'n't +defend myself. + + Kellinghausen. + +You admit that one of us must die? + + Richard. + +No; I don't admit it; but I am at your orders. + + Kellinghausen. + +A duel between us is impossible---- + + Richard. + +Impossible---- + + Kellinghausen. + +I don't mean on account of the children. _That's_ all at an end. + + Richard. + +Why must it be at an end if one of us dies? But I am at your orders. + + Kellinghausen. + +I have pledged my word not to bring any scandal on the party. You are +under the same obligation. + + Richard. + +Yes. + + Kellinghausen. + +So that the only thing left---- + + Richard. + +Before you go any further, let me tell you that I decline to go through +the farce of an American duel. + + Kellinghausen. + +You decline--? Perhaps you want to sneak out of the whole business? + + Richard. + +You don't believe that! + + Kellinghausen. + +Well--what other way is there? + + Richard. + +I know a way--but---- (Norbert's _voice is heard outside, speaking +with_ Conrad.) + + Kellinghausen. + +(_With sudden decision, opening the door_.) Norbert! + + Richard (_following him_). + +For God's sake, Michael--do you want to disgrace my whole house? + + Kellinghausen (_opening the door_). + +You shall see.--Norbert! Come in, my boy--come! + + Norbert _enters_. + + Norbert. + +Uncle Michael, what is the matter with Aunt Beata? The doctor is with +her, and Ellen has been called---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Nothing serious. Don't be alarmed. (_Takes his hand_.) Norbert, your +father and I were just talking of last evening. You remember that +stupid business interrupted our talk, and we never heard the end of +your argument. Let us have it now. Sit down--sit down, Richard. (_They +all seat themselves_.) There was one phrase of yours that struck me. +You said--you said--that if---- + + Richard. + +You said that if a man of honour has injured another and is called on +to atone for it, he is the best judge of his own punishment. + + Norbert (_laughing_). + +Did I? Very likely--but my head is so full of other things just now +that I couldn't swear to it. + + Kellinghausen. + +That was not quite what I meant; but no matter. Suppose we take such a +case. If the injured person says: "One of us two must die"--what ought +the other to answer? + + Norbert. + +Why, Uncle Michael, I should say that depended on the nature of the +injury--doesn't it? + + Richard. + +Let us say, for the sake of argument, that the wrong is the gravest +that one man can do another; let us say he has seduced his friend's +wife. Has the husband a right to the other man's life? + + Norbert. + +Why, father--there can be but one answer to that. And if the other man +is a man of honour--though I don't see how he could be, do you?--he +would be more eager to give his life than the husband could possibly be +to take it. + + Richard. + +H'm. Perhaps you're right. Thank you, my boy. + + Norbert. + +Uncle Michael, at what time to-morrow may I see you? + + Kellinghausen. + +I'll send you word, Norbert. + + Norbert. + +Thanks. Don't make it too late, will you? Don't keep me waiting too +long. Good-bye. Good-bye, father. (_Goes out_.) + + Richard. + +Well--are you satisfied? + + Kellinghausen. + +You put the question in a way that suggests suicide. That was not---- + + Richard. + +It is your own choice. All I ask is two days' respite. You won't refuse +it? (Kellinghausen _shrugs his shoulders_.) Good-bye. (_Goes out_.) + + + Curtain. + + + + + ACT IV + + + + + ACT IV + + +_A study in the house of_ Richard Voelkerlingk. _Doors on the right and +left, at the back. A fireplace in the middle background, the rest of +the wall hidden by book-cases, which frame the fireplace and doors. +In the foreground, to the left, a window. To the right of it, a +writing-table. In the centre a table covered with periodicals and +books. On the right a leather sofa and arm-chairs. Behind these a door. +Rich and sombre decorations, old pictures, armour, etc. A hanging-lamp +with a green shade, another lamp on a table, both lit. Through +the window one sees the twilight_. Holtzmann _is seated at the +centre-table, reading_. + + _Enter_ George. + + George. + +Herr Holtzmann, some one is asking for the Baron. + + Holtzmann. + +Why, you know the Baron is at the Reichstag. + + George. + +He says it's important that the Baron should see him. He wants to know +when he can call again. + + Holtzmann. + +Do you know who it is? + + George. + +Well--not exactly a gentleman. What shall I tell him? + + Holtzmann. + +The Baron speaks this afternoon. He will not leave till the House +rises. Tell the man to come back in an hour. (George _goes out_.) + + Norbert _enters_. + + Norbert (_greatly excited_). + +Herr Holtzmann--haven't you been at the Reichstag? (Holtzmann _shakes +his head without speaking_.) Then you haven't heard? My father has had +the most wonderful triumph--they say there has never been anything like +it. + + Holtzmann. + +Ah? + + Norbert. + +I wish I could give you an idea of it! Look at me--I'm shaking all +over! If you could have heard the way the words rushed out, the way the +thoughts trod on each other's heels! He began by sketching the +psychology of the modern man, and from that he developed a theory of +marriage, with its outward obligations and inner ideals--the marriage +of to-day in its highest, noblest sense--but you'll read what he said; +you'll see if I'm exaggerating. Then he went on to the practical +application of his theory. In this unsettled age, when parents are +losing their control over their children, and the state its hold over +the citizen, when even God and His priests see the soul of man slipping +away from them--at such a time we must do all we can to strengthen the +only tie that holds humanity together--the only tie that gives youth +the shelter of the family life till habit becomes duty, and duty the +law of being, and through obedience to that law a strong and enduring +national soul is created. Isn't that beautiful, Herr Holtzmann? Isn't +that a glorious idea? + + Holtzmann. + +Very fine, very fine. But doesn't such an argument lead back to the +standpoint of the Church, which---- + + Norbert. + +When marriage is a mockery, he said, the state may intervene and +dissolve it. That was all. Never in my life have I heard such a +scathing denunciation of infidelity! + + Holtzmann. + +Ah? Indeed? + + Norbert. + +There was such terrible menace in his words that I--oh, well, I can't +explain it--but I began to feel afraid--of I don't know what---- + + Holtzmann (_half to himself_). + +This will explain---- + + Norbert. + +Explain what? What do you mean? + + George _enters_. + + George (_urgently_). + +Herr Holtzmann! + + Holtzmann (_to_ Norbert). + +One moment, please. (_He goes up to_ George.) + + George (_in a whisper_). + +The man is here again, and asking to see you. He is waiting in the cafe +across the street. + + Holtzmann. + +Doesn't he give his name? + + George. + +Yes. Something like Meister or Meissner. + + Holtzmann (_startled, in a whisper_). + +Meixner? + + George. + +That's it. + + Holtzmann (_turning to_ Norbert). + +Will you excuse me? Some one has sent for me. + + Norbert. + +Don't let me keep you. (Holtzmann _and_ George _go out_. Norbert _goes +to the window, his hand shading his eyes, and gazes out eagerly_. +Richard _comes in quietly and lays his portfolio on the +writing-table_.) + + Norbert (_turning toward him_). + +Father! Father! (_He throws himself in_ Richard's _arms_. Richard +_thanks him with a smile_.) + + Norbert. + +Mother sends you her love and is sorry she can't be here to +congratulate you. She's in waiting on the Princess this evening. + + Richard. + +Ah? (_He moves about the room_.) + + Norbert. + +Oh, father, how happy you must be! How they cheered, how they fought to +get near you and shake your hand! Oh, if only I could have one such +hour in my life! + + Richard (_laying a hand on his shoulder_). + +If you do, my son, may you pay for it less dearly! + + Norbert. + +What do you mean? + + Richard. + +Listen, Norbert.--Have you heard anything of Aunt Beata? + + Norbert. + +I went there, but they told me she wouldn't see any one. + + Richard (_musingly_). + +H'm. + + Norbert. + +The fact is, I wanted to see Uncle Michael. + + Richard. + +(_Who has walked toward the window_.) Uncle Michael? That reminds me +that I wanted to tell you-- How the sunset shines on the house-tops +over there! Everything is in a glow--we shall have glorious winter +weather soon---- + + Norbert. + +You said you had something to tell me, father. + + Richard. + +Yes, yes; to be sure. But first, haven't you something to tell _me_? + + Norbert (_with an embarrassed smile_). + +Yes; but not to-day--when you're so---- + + Richard. + +The very day, dear boy! To-morrow I may but there's nothing to tell, +after all. Aunt Beata and I have seen this coming and it has made us +very happy. + + Norbert. + +(_Flinging his arms about his father_.) Father! Father! + + Richard. + +Norbert! My dear lad! But we don't yet know what Uncle Michael will +say---- + + Norbert. + +Uncle Michael? When I'm _your_ son? Father, you've heard something. You +wouldn't frighten me for nothing. + + Richard. + +I have heard nothing. But, Norbert, listen. Whatever comes to you in +after days, I want you to remember one thing: it doesn't matter whether +we succeed or not. What we need is the guiding note of a voice that +seems the echo of our best hopes. It doesn't matter whether we are +mistaken in the voice or not--the great thing is to hear it. And the +worst thing is not to feel the need of it. + + Norbert. + +Thank you, father. I'm not sure I understand--but you may be sure I +shall listen for the voice. + + Richard. + +And one thing more. Uncle Michael is very busy just now. Leave him +alone for a day or two--even if you have the chance of speaking. And +let me see you to-morrow morning early. I may have to go on a long +journey--and before I start---- + + Norbert. + +On a journey? Now? Just as you---- + + Richard (_nods_). + +This is between ourselves. But meanwhile, try to see Aunt Beata for a +moment. I want you to tell her--but stay, I'll write. (_He seats +himself at the writing-table and begins to write_.) + + _Enter_ George. + + George. + +His Excellency Baron Ludwig von Voelkerlingk. + + _Enter_ Baron Ludwig. Richard _starts up, pleased and surprised_. + + George. + +The evening papers, your Excellency. (_He puts them down and goes +out_.) + + Richard. + +Ludwig! It's a long time since you've given me this pleasure. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Thank you, Richard. + + Richard. + +Will you excuse me a moment? I am finishing a letter. (_He folds the +letter, puts it into an envelope and writes the address, while_ Norbert +_and_ Baron Ludwig _are greeting each other_.) There! + + Norbert (_taking the letter_). + +An answer, father? + + Richard. + +As soon as possible. (Norbert _goes out_.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +My dear Richard--we're quite alone, I suppose? (Richard _nods_.) +Forgive the suggestion, but-- (_he glances about the room_) Leonie +sometimes overhears---- + + Richard. + +Leonie is out. + + Baron Ludwig. + +So much the better. But first let me tell you with what admiration I +listened to you just now--what breathless admiration! (Richard _makes a +gesture of thanks_.) Still, I confess that your having to speak on such +a subject just at present made me--er--a little nervous---- + + Richard. + +Why so? + + Baron Ludwig. + +I was almost afraid--but we'll go into that presently.--Well, at +all events, if nothing goes wrong, you may look upon this as the +starting-point of a career that any man living might envy you. + + Richard. + +What do you mean? + + Baron Ludwig. + +A certain personage was heard to say after your speech: _That is the +man I need_. Don't look as if you saw a ghost. You deserve it all, my +dear Richard. + + Richard. + +(_Walks up and down in agitated silence_.) Ludwig--you have led me to +the top of a high mountain and shown me the promised land in which I +shall never set foot. Give me time to renounce the idea. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Why should you talk of renouncing it? But this brings me to the object +of my visit. Richard, how long do you suppose your enemies will wait +before making capital out of your speech? + + Richard. + +I'm ready for them, my dear fellow. I'll pay the shot--to the last +penny! + + Baron Ludwig (_in a lower tone_). + +We are talking at cross-purposes. I referred to the insinuations of +your former secretary. + + Richard. + +I understand. + + Baron Ludwig. + +You know there is nothing they are so eager to attack as our private +life. Of course I don't for a moment imagine the man has anything to go +on--but unless you can silence him he may make a scandal in which +everything will go under--your name, your career--and other things +besides. + + Richard. + +What can I do to prevent it? + + Baron Ludwig. + +For one thing, you might jump into a cab and hunt your man down with a +big bribe in your pocket. + + Richard. + +Do you think that kind of man could be bribed? + + Baron Ludwig. + +My dear Richard, this is not merely a matter of life and death. +Remember that. Of course you may be too late; but it's the only way I +can suggest. (_There is a knock on the door_.) + + Richard. + +Come in. + + _Enter_ Holtzmann. + + Holtzmann. + +I beg your pardon, Baron. (_In a low voice_.) An important matter---- + + Richard. + +You may speak before my brother. I have no secrets from him. + + Holtzmann. + +There is a man waiting in my room who wishes to speak to you. His name +is Meixner. (_The two brothers look at each other_.) + + Richard. + +Thanks. Please tell Herr Meixner that I will see him in a moment. +(Holtzmann _goes out_.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +Well, this ends my mission. Good-bye, Richard. Your luck frightens me. + + Richard (_laughing bitterly_). + +My luck! + + Baron Ludwig (_pressing his hands_). + +Don't hang back now, my dear fellow. The way is open to you. + + Richard. + +Thank you. Good-bye. (Baron Ludwig _goes out_. Richard _rings_.) + + _Enter_ George. + + Richard. + +I will see the gentleman who is waiting. You will remain in the +ante-room. Don't let in any one else. (George _goes out. After a short +pause_ Meixner _enters_.) + + Richard. + +Herr Meixner, after what has happened, doesn't it strike you as rather +a liberty that you should enter my house? + + Meixner. + +(_Speaking in a hoarse voice, with an occasional cough_.) May I take my +muffler off? My lungs have gone wrong--makes it very hard for me to +talk down my adversary in one of those crowded smoky halls.--But what's +to be done about it? + + Richard. + +May I ask what you want of me? + + Meixner. + +Really, Baron, from the way you look at me I might almost ask what you +want of _me_. But I suppose it's my turn first.--I haven't come out of +malice. You can safely offer me a chair. + + Richard. + +If you haven't come out of malice you probably won't stay long enough +to need one. + + Meixner. + +Ah--thanks. Well, I'll take the hint and be brief. It was down at +Lengenfeld, you know. Herr Holtzmann and I sat up a whole night arguing +over the elections. Why not--two honourable antagonists, eh? Herr +Holtzmann, as a good theologian, was all for the sanctity of the social +order. I laughed at him--he's at the age when the disciple looks up to +his master, and he brought you up as an example. I laughed at him +again.--"If Baron Voelkerlingk is not what I believe him to be," said +he, "nothing is what I believe it to be, and I'll go over to your +side." "Shake hands on that," said I; and we did. The next day, in my +speech, I made that allusion--you know what I mean--and as no one took +it up, and I began to be afraid it might hang fire, I sent about a few +copies of the paper. That helped. I got my nomination the next day. + + Richard. + +Not in my district. + + Meixner. + +No matter. Well I found I'd made a stupid blunder. I'd meant to convert +Holtzmann but I hadn't meant to ruin _you_. Do you see? Then you made +your speech to-day--and after that-- Well, I've been tramping the +streets ever since, saying to myself: The man who could make that +speech after what he's been through--well, he's suffered enough.--Baron +Voelkerlingk, here are two letters written to you by-- (_he looks about +him cautiously_) by a lady I needn't name. Don't ask me how I got them. +I didn't steal them; and here they are, if you'll give me your word +that you'll put a stop to that libel-suit. + + Richard. + +I think the suit has already been stopped. + + Meixner. + +H'm--well, your thinking so is hardly sufficient. + + Richard. + +It will have to be stopped, even if you keep those letters. + + Meixner (_startled_). + +Even if--? H'm--do things look as badly as that for you? + + Richard. + +You will kindly leave me out of the question. + + Meixner. + +Ah--well--here are your letters. (_Lays them on the table_.) + + Richard. + +If you didn't wish to do me a public injury, why not have shown them +privately to my secretary? + + Meixner. + +They might have been forgeries. + + Richard. + +They may be so still. + + Meixner. + +When I've taken the trouble to return them to you? Holtzmann doesn't +think so. He's packing up already. Perhaps you'd like to see him before +he leaves? + + Richard. + +No. + + Meixner. + +Baron Voelkerlingk, if I have got you into trouble don't set it down to +ill-feeling. Principle is principle, if we have to hang for it. Every +man who has convictions must be prepared to go to the stake for them. +Good-day to you, Baron Voelkerlingk. (_He goes out_.) + + Richard. + +(_Clutches the letters and strikes his clenched hand against his +brow_.) Oh, to live again to live, to live! + + _Enter_ Norbert. + + Norbert. + +Father---- + + Richard. + +Well? + + Norbert. + +Aunt Beata was out. + + Richard. + +Out? At this hour? Why, she never goes out except for her morning +drive. Where can she have gone? + + Norbert. + +No one knows. + + Richard. + +But she must have ordered the carriage? + + Norbert. + +It seems not. + + Richard. + +Well, thank you, my boy. What time is it? + + Norbert. + +Nearly seven. + + Richard. + +You had better dine without me. I shall go and enquire. She may +have---- + + Norbert. + +Is there anything I can do, father? + + Richard. + +No, no. Thanks, Norbert. (_He gives him his hand_.) Good-night, my lad. + + Norbert. + +Good-night, father. (_Goes out_.) + + Richard (_to himself_). + +My God! My God! (_He hurries toward the door, and starts back amazed_.) + + _Enter_ Beata, _in hat and cloak, her face thickly veiled_. + + Richard. + +Beata! (_He closes the door_.) Where have you come from? Tell me, for +heaven's sake! + + Beata. + +Alive! + + Richard. + +Did any one see you except George? + + Beata. + +Alive--alive! (_She sinks into a chair, trembling and hiding her face +in her hands_.) + + Richard. + +Good God, Beata, rouse yourself! What has happened? Don't keep me in +suspense. What is it, dearest? Answer me. + + Beata. + +I'm so cold. + + Richard (_opening the door_). + +George! (George _enters_.) Light the fire. + + George (_kneels down and lights it_). + +Yes, your Excellency. + + Richard. + +And see that no one interrupts us. I am engaged with Madame von +Kellinghausen. + + George. + +Yes, your Excellency. + + Richard. + +If the Baroness comes in, say nothing, but let me know. + + George. + +Yes, your Excellency. (_Goes out_.) + + Richard. + +And now, come and sit by the fire. But take off your cloak +first--there. And your hat and veil too? + + Beata. +(_Letting her arms sink down helplessly_.) I can't. + + Richard. + +Wait, dear. (_He loosens her veil_.) How white you are! Come to the +fire. (_He leads her to the fireplace_.) There! is that right? + + Beata. + +Everything is right as long as you're alive! + + Richard. + +Why, Beata, what put such an idea into your head? + + Beata. + +Hasn't it been in _yours_ ever since yesterday? + + Richard. + +There will be no duel, I assure you. + + Beata. + +I have just read your speech. It was your goodbye to the world. Oh, +don't laugh--don't deny it. I've felt death hanging over us ever since. + + Richard. + +And I swear to you that I've never loved life better, have never been +more determined to live, than now that I've won back my place in the +world. + + Beata. + +You swear that to me? + + Richard. + +I swear it. + + Beata. + +And yet you must die. + + Richard. + +So must we all. But I mean to put it off as long as possible, I promise +you! + + Beata (_standing up_). + +Richard, for fifteen years we haven't kept a single thought from each +other, yet now that the end has come you throw me over as if you were +paying off a discarded mistress. + + Richard (_agitated_). + +Beata! + + Beata. + +Don't be afraid. I am not going to force your confidence. You would +only repeat what Michael has already told me--that you are going to +travel, to disappear for a while.--Is this the laugh with which we were +to have greeted death? Often and often, at night, when I've lain in bed +struggling for breath, I've said to myself that I should die before +morning. What if it really happened to-night? You'd have to wait +then--you'd have no right to follow me. Think how people would talk if +you did! (_With a sudden start_.) The children, Richard--there must be +no shadow on the children. + + Richard. + +Beata, don't talk so wildly. Do shake off such fancies. + + Beata (_musing_). + +Yes--yes.--You know you'll have a note from Michael in the morning. + + Richard. + +What do you mean? + + Beata. + +A note asking you to luncheon to-morrow to meet some friends. Nothing +more. + + Richard. + +What is the object---- + + Beata. + +It seems there has been some gossip at the clubs, and this is the +shortest way of putting a stop to it. (_Entreatingly_.) You'll come, +Richard, won't you? + + Richard. + +Beata! Why should we go through this new misery? + + Beata (_in wild anxiety_). + +Richard, you _will_ come? You must come. + + Richard. + +I can't, Beata. + + Beata. + +It is the last thing I shall ever ask of you. Now you're smiling +again--well, I'll believe anything you tell me--about your travelling, +about your disappearing--I'll believe anything, if you'll only come. +Richard, come for the children's sake. And if not for the children's +sake, come for mine--or I shall die of it--I shall die of it, Richard, +in the night---- + + Richard (_overcome_). + +I will come. + + Beata. + +Give me your hand. (Richard _gives it_. Beata _takes his hand, and +passes it over her eyes and cheeks_.) There--I'm quite quiet again, you +see. (_Sits down_.) I don't know if I told you that I'm going to +Rossitsch to-morrow. + + Richard. + +For good? + + Beata (_nodding_). + +So that, unless you come and pay me a visit there---- + + Richard. + +This is good-bye? + +For always. So you needn't keep yourself so frightfully in hand. (_He +looks at her doubtfully_.) You needn't, really. (_He falls on his knees +before her and hides his face in her lap_.) + + Beata (_stroking his hair_). + +"I knew a sad old tale of Tristram and Iseult"--How grey you've grown +in these last few days! (_She kisses his hair_.) Don't get up yet--I +want to look at you again--for the last time.--Only I can't see +you--your face has been like a mask ever since yesterday.--Look at me +just once as you used to--just once! + + Richard (_rising_). + +I've never changed to you. + + Beata. + +Haven't you?--Who knows?--We've grown old, you and I. There's a layer +of ashes on our hearts--a layer of conventionality and good behaviour +and weariness and disappointment.--Who knows what we were like before +the fire went out? Not a trace is left to tell--not so much as a riband +or a flower. The words are forgotten, the letters are destroyed, the +emotions have faded. Here we sit like two ghosts on our own graves. +(_Passionately_.) Oh, to go back just once to the old life, and then +forget everything---- + + Richard. + +Do you really want to? + + Beata. + +You can work wonders--but not that! + + Richard. + +(_Draws out the letters, and opening one, begins to read it to her_.) +"Rossitsch, June 13th, 1881. Two o'clock in the morning." + + Beata. + +What is that? + + Richard. + +Listen. (_Reading_.) "I don't want to sleep, dearest. The night is too +bright and my happiness too great. The moonlight lies on Likowa, and +already the dawn shows red through the network of elms. The blood beats +like a hammer in my temples--I scarcely know how I am going to bear the +riches of my new life. Oh, how I pray God to let me live it out beside +you--not as your wife, that would be too wild a dream!--but as an +unseen influence at your side, faint as the moonlight which rests upon +your sleep, or as the first glow of dawn that wakes you to new +endeavour." + + Beata. + +I must have been listening to Wagner. Let me see; did I really write +that? (_She reads_.) "For I mean to make you the greatest among men, +you, my discoverer and my deliverer--" That's not so bad, you know. +(_Reads on_.) "If only heaven would let me die, and give you my life to +live as well as your own." (_She rises suddenly with a strange look on +her face_.) + + Richard. + +This letter and another have just been brought to me by--Meixner. If he +had come yesterday we should have been saved. Now it is too late. + + Beata. + +Too late?--Oh, Richard, how ungrateful I've been! Why, every prayer +of my youth has been granted--the long sad sweet dream at your +side-- (_She breaks suddenly into laughter_.) + + Richard. + +Why do you laugh? + + Beata. + +I laugh because in your speech this morning you disowned us +both--disowned our long sad sweet dream. Oh, I don't blame you, +Richard. It isn't your conscience that torments you, it's the +conscience of the race. I'm only a woman--what do I care for the race? +You felt that you were sinning--I felt that I had risen above myself, +that I had attained the harmony nature meant me to attain. And because +I feel that---- + + Richard. + +You deny that we have sinned----? + + Beata. + +I deny nothing. I affirm nothing. I stand on the farther shore of life, +and look over at you with a smile. Oh, Richard, Richard (_she laughs_), +did you ever really think I had given you up? I never gave you up. I +never ceased to long for you, passionately, feverishly, day and night, +when you were away and when you were near me--always, always--and all +the while I was playing the cool, quiet friend, biting my lips to keep +the words back, and crushing down my rebellious heart--yes, and through +it all I was so happy--so unspeakably, supremely happy---- + + Richard (_going up to her_). + +Take care, dear. You mustn't excite yourself. I shall have to send you +home. + + Beata. + +(_Letting her head sink on his breast with a happy smile_.) Home? This +is home. + + Richard. + +They will be wondering where you are. They may send here to find you. + + Beata (_mysteriously, urgently_). + +No, no--not yet! I have so much to say to you. There are so many +secrets I must tell you. Everything has grown so clear to me--I wish +I--Richard, you will surely come to-morrow? (_Crying out suddenly_.) I +want to stay with you. I am afraid of to-night! + + Richard. + +Beata, do try to control yourself. + + Beata. + +Yes, yes--I'll control myself.-- (_She stands motionless, benumbed_.) +Give me my hat. (_He brings her the hat and veil_.) And my veil. +(_Fervently_.) You still love your life, Richard? You still want to +live? + + Richard. + +Haven't I told you so? Ever since---- + + Beata. + +Never fear, dearest. You _shall_ live. + + Richard (_with outstretched hands_). + +Beata, before we part---- + + Beata. + +Don't thank me--don't kiss me. I--good-bye, Richard. (_She goes out_.) + + Richard. + +Beata! + + + Curtain. + + + + + ACT V + + + + + ACT V + + +_The dining-room at_ Count Kellinghausen's. _In the middle of the stage +a table with six covers. On the right a sofa, table, and chairs. +Sideboard on the left. In the centre at the back a wide door leading +into the drawing-room. Door on the right into anteroom, door on the +left into inner apartments. A window on the right, in the foreground. +Grey light of a winter's day_. Ellen _is busy arranging the flowers on +the table_. Conrad _in the background. Enter_ Beata _from the left_. + + Ellen. + +Oh, mother, I'm so glad you've come. Will the flowers do? + + Beata. + +Beautifully, dear. (Conrad _goes out_.) + + Ellen. + +And the cards? Look--I've put you here, of course, with Baron Ludwig on +your right, and Prince Usingen on your left.--Mother! You're not +listening. + + Beata. + +Yes I am. But Brachtmann is older than the Prince. They must change +places. + + Ellen. + +Very well. And this is Uncle Richard's seat, next to father's. + + _Enter_ Kellinghausen. + + Kellinghausen. + +What about father? + + Ellen. + +I was only saying that I had put Uncle Richard next to you. + + Kellinghausen. + +Next to me?--Yes, yes; of course. Quite right. (_He pets her_.) Now, +you monkey, be off! + + Beata. + +I shall see you before luncheon, dear. + + Ellen. + +Yes, mother. (_Goes out_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +I came to speak to you about our arrangements. I have just received a +telegram from Rossitsch. Your rooms are ready for you. To prevent any +talk, I shall take you there and leave you. I suppose you are ready to +start this evening? + + Beata. + +Whenever you please, dear Michael. + + Kellinghausen. + +You don't seem to have made any preparations. + + Beata (_smiling_). + +I have so few to make! + + Kellinghausen. + +I have no objection to Ellen's remaining with you till the spring. Then +we can see about sending her to a boarding-school. + + Beata. + +I consent to that too. + + Kellinghausen. + +You could hardly expect your refusal to make much difference. + + Beata (_still smiling_). + +Don't be afraid. I understand my position. + + Kellinghausen. + +And who is to blame for it? + + Beata. + +My dear Michael, we neither of us care for tragedy. Why not let that +be? + + Kellinghausen. + +You're right.--Where have you put my seat? + + Beata. + +Here. + + Kellinghausen. + +Another torture to undergo! + + Beata. + +Isn't it more than you can bear? + + Kellinghausen. + +Perhaps--but it can't be helped. I had to have these people--I've got +to go through with it. + + Beata. + +Yes, you've got to go through with it. And so have I. I need them more +than you do. + + Kellinghausen. + +You? Why? + + Beata. + +You will see later. + + Kellinghausen. + +You have no right to keep anything from me---- + + Beata. + +Are you keeping nothing from _me_? (_He turns away_.) Michael, here is +a letter in which I have written something I can't well say to you. +Will you promise not to open it till luncheon is over? + + Kellinghausen. + +Yes. + + Beata. + +You give me your word? + + Kellinghausen. + +Yes. + + Beata (_giving him the letter_). + +Here it is. + + Kellinghausen. + +Thank you. Then--I suppose--we-- (_Goes to the door_.) + + Beata. + +Michael! + + Kellinghausen. + +Eh? + + Beata. + +You know I'm not very strong--oh, don't misunderstand me! I'm not +trying to work on your feelings--but you know how much is at stake. If +Richard Voelkerlingk should die suddenly, and I---- + + Kellinghausen (_tortured_). + +I beg of you, Beata! I---- + + Beata. + +Well? + + Kellinghausen. + +Go on. + + Beata. + +You had something to say. + + Kellinghausen (_confused_). + +I--I was only going to tell you--that there will be no duel. + + Beata. + +Ah.--Then the danger I spoke of is removed, and I---- + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Conrad. + +His Highness Prince Usingen and Baron Brachtmann are in the +drawing-room. + + Kellinghausen. + +I will come at once. (Conrad _goes out_.) + + Beata. + +If you don't mind I will join you at table. + + Kellinghausen. + +You are not well. + + Beata (_carelessly_). + +It's nothing to speak of. Don't keep them waiting.--(Kellinghausen +_stands before her, shaken with tearless sobs_. Beata _goes up to him +and lays her hand softly on his arm_.) Michael, dear, when I think how +I have hurt you I should like to fall down before you and kiss your +hands--I should like to show you--what is in my heart--but it's too +late to say such things now---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Good-bye. (_He goes out_. Beata _rings and_ Conrad _enters_.) + + Beata. + +Ask Countess Ellen to bring me my drops. (Conrad _goes out_. Beata +_stretches out her arms and passes her hands over her face_.) + + _Enter_ Ellen. + + Ellen (_in the doorway_). + +Mother! Are you ill? (Beata _stretches out her arms again, half +beckoning_ Ellen, _half warding her off_. Ellen, _hastening to her_.) +Mother! Mother! what is it? + + Beata (_softly_). + +Nothing, nothing. (_She strokes_ Ellen's hair, _lets her arms slip +gradually from the girl's shoulders, and finds the phial containing the +drops in her left hand. A long shudder_.) Give me the drops. + + Ellen. + +How you snatch! Here they are. (Beata _turns the phial about in her +hand_.) Mother, are we really going to Rossitsch, this evening? + + Beata (_nodding_). + +Yes. + + Ellen. + +In midwinter? Why do we go? + + Beata. + +H'm---- + + Ellen. + +What will Norbert say? It looks as though you wanted to separate us---- + + Beata. + +Does it? Does it really look so? + + Ellen. + +No, no, no--forgive me! No. + + Beata. + +But others might want to separate you--for life--for life, Ellen! Do +you understand? + + Ellen. + +Mother! + + Beata. + +Shall I tell you what to do if ever that happens? Wait till you are of +age, and then go to him wherever he is, and say: "My mother sent me." +Do you see? + + Ellen. + +Yes, yes--but why----? + + Beata. + +By and by, at Rossitsch, I'll tell you. When we sit together in the big +hall, over the fire, with the wind singing in the chimney. You'll like +that, won't you, dear? We'll be so jolly together, you and I. And now, +darling, go. (_Passionately_.) No, come back-- (_kissing her) and +now-- (_smiling at her) go dear, go! (Ellen _goes out_.) + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Beata. + +Has every one come? + + Conrad. + +All but Baron Richard. + + Beata. + +You may announce luncheon, then. (Conrad _goes out. A moment later he +throws open the doors, and_ Baron Ludwig, Prince Usingen, Baron +Brachtmann, _and_ Kellinghausen _enter_.) + + Beata. + +Prince--Herr von Brachtmann--how do you do? (_To_ Baron Ludwig.) Your +Excellency, you are to sit on my right. + + Baron Ludwig. + +You do me too much honour. (Conrad _closes the folding-doors_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +And now, gentlemen, shall we begin _a la Russe_, with a little caviare? +(_He leads the others to the table near the sofa, where cold dishes and +liqueurs are set out_.) + + Prince. + +Your true German can't abide a Russian, but we all adore their caviare. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Where can my brother be? The feast is given for him and he is the last +to appear. + + Brachtmann. + +He's probably doing what we all do the day after. Poring over the +papers. + + Prince. + +And wondering how it is that yesterday's laurels have already turned +into thorns. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Ah, that's part of the game. + + Prince. + +No, it's the end of the game. + + Beata. + +What do you mean, Prince? + + Prince. + +That our growth ceases when we gain our end. Attainment means being +nailed fast--nailed to a cross, sometimes! + + Kellinghausen. + +(_While_ Conrad _hands about glasses of wine_.) Gentlemen, won't you +drop your epigrams and try some of my port? + + Prince. + +It's his Excellency's doing. He always begins! + + _Enter a footman_. + + The Footman. + +Baron Richard von Voelkerlingk. (_There is an expectant murmur_.) + + _Enter_ Richard. + + Brachtmann (_aside to_ Prince). + +I told you there was nothing wrong. + + Prince. + +Wait and see. + + Richard (_kissing_ Beata's _hand_). + +Forgive my being so late. A dozen things turned up at the last moment. +Excuse me, Michael. (_The_ Prince _makes a sign to_ Brachtmann.) + + Kellinghausen. + +(_Shaking hands composedly with_ Richard.) Don't mention it, my dear +fellow. We are lucky to get you at all. The man of the hour you can't +have a moment to yourself. + + Richard. + +I've not had many yet. (_Shakes hands with him again and then turns to +the others_.) + + Beata. + +Shall we have luncheon? Voelkerlingk, you can join us when you've had +your caviare. (Richard _makes a gesture refusing the hors-d'[oe]uvre_.) + + Brachtmann (_aside to the_ Prince). + +Well? + + Prince. + +Irreproachable, as usual. + + Brachtmann. + +Thank God! (_They all seat themselves_.) + + Prince (_to_ Baron Ludwig). + +I can't make your brother out. You know him better than we do. Look at +his face--what's the matter with him? + + Baron Ludwig. + +We are such complicated machines, your Highness. It's impossible to +explain any one with a word. + + Beata. + +Take a hundred, then. (_With a short excited laugh_.) Life is long +enough! + + Kellinghausen (_to himself_). + +Yes. Life is long enough. + + Richard. + +Instead of discussing my appearance I wish you would criticise my +speech. + + Prince. + +What a _gourmet_ he is, Countess! He wants the disapproval of his +friends to season the praise of his enemies! + + Richard. + +Now, then, Brachtmann? + + Brachtmann. + +Why, my dear fellow, if you insist--I must tell you frankly that I had +hoped you would lay more stress on the view of marriage as a divine +institution. + + Richard. + +I have the greatest respect for that view of marriage, but I fear it +might have invalidated the scientific side of my argument. What do you +say, Prince? + + Prince. + +And what if it did? It's much more gratifying to our vanity to think +ourselves the objects of divine solicitude than the victims of natural +law. (Brachtmann _and_ Baron Ludwig _protest_. Beata _laughs_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +Really, Usingen----! + + Baron Ludwig. + +Isn't your Highnesses scepticism a little overdone? Surely society has +made us the natural protectors of the social order. The order may +change with the times--all we ask is that it should maintain the moral +balance of power. (Beata _laughs_.) You are amused, Countess? + + Beata (_still laughing_). + +I was only laughing to think how often I'd heard it before--the moral +balance of power, and all the rest! I'm sure our ancestors sang the +same song when they threw their victims to Moloch. And our souls are +still thrown by the million to the Moloch of social expediency. We are +all expected to sacrifice our personal happiness to the welfare of the +race! (_She laughs excitedly_.) + + Kellinghausen (_almost threateningly_). + +Beata! + + Baron Ludwig. + +Countess, you are conjuring up a phantom. + + Beata. + +It may be a phantom, but it has us by the throat.--(_To_ Richard.) What +are you thinking of, Voelkerlingk? You are not going to refuse our +celebrated game-pie? + + Richard. + +I beg your pardon. I wasn't thinking. (_He helps himself to the dish_.) + + Beata. + +You must know that that pie is an invention of my own! + + Prince. + +Dear me, Countess, are you at home in every branch of learning? + + Beata. + +Oh, I had the making of a great cook in me. I believe I'm the last of +the old school--the model housekeeper, the domestic wife, the +high-priestess of the family! (_She goes on laughing excitedly and_ +Michael _nervously echoes her laugh_.) + + Richard. + +(_Making a perceptible effort to change the conversation_.) My dear +Countess, no one ever ventures to dispute your statements. But there is +one family about which I want to say a word and that is the one we are +in. (_Rising_.) I drink to the house of Kellinghausen! + + The Others. + +Hear--hear! + + Richard. + +The house of Kellinghausen! As I look back over my life, I don't know +how to sum up all I owe to it. (_He turns to_ Beata.) To you, my dear +friend---- + + Kellinghausen (_with forced gaiety_). + +Is this a settlement in full, my dear fellow? + + Richard. + +(_Taken aback, but recovering himself instantly_.) You're right, +Michael. There's no use trying; but there's something I want to say to +you. + + Kellinghausen. + +Hear! hear! + + Richard (_to the others_). + +Since yesterday, you all know what I owe him. My success is his doing, +all his doing. If I've gained my end, if I've reached the goal at last, +it's to Kellinghausen I owe it. Here's to my good friend and yours! + + The Others. + +Hear! Hear! (_They clink their glasses_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +(_With a strained laugh, as he and_ Richard _touch glasses_.) You might +have left that out. + + Richard. + +I should have written it if I hadn't said it. + + Kellinghausen (_still on his feet_). + +Gentlemen--Beata--I may speak for all of you, I believe? I think our +friend Voelkerlingk proved conclusively yesterday that if he has taken +my place it is because he has the best right to it. (_On the verge +of an outburst_.) A better right to it--than-- (_He is checked +by a terrified glance from_ Beata, _who utters a low exclamation_.) +Well--well--I'm not much of a speech-maker.--Gentlemen--Beata--long +life to our friend Voelkerlingk--long life to my successor! + + Beata. + +(_In a low voice, while the others gather about_ Richard.) Long life to +him! (_She presses her hand to her heart, and rests heavily against the +arm of her chair_.) + + Prince (_to_ Kellinghausen). + +Is anything wrong with the Countess? + + Kellinghausen. + +Beata! + + Beata (_raising herself with a smile_). + +Yes? + + Kellinghausen. + +Would you not rather go into the drawing-room? You look tired. (_She +shakes her head_.) + + Richard. + +(_In a formal tone, with a glance at_ Michael.) We all beg of you, +Countess---- + + Beata. + +(_Looking from one to the other with growing apprehension_.) +No--no--no--I'm quite--quite--on the contrary--_I_ have a toast to +propose. (Richard _makes a startled gesture_.) Yes--a toast of my own! +But please all sit down first---- + + Prince. + +Woman disposes! + + Kellinghausen. + +Beata, you are overtaxing yourself. Be careful. + + Beata. + +My dear friends, you all go on wishing each other a long life but which +of us is really alive? Which of us really dares to live? Somewhere, far +off in the distance, we catch a glimpse of life--but we hide our eyes +and shrink away from it like transgressors. And that's our nearest +approach to living! Do you really think you're alive--any one of you? +Or do you think I am? (_She springs up with an inspired look_.) But I, +at least--I--whose whole life is one long struggle against death--I who +never sleep, who hardly breathe, who barely stand--I at least know how +to laugh, how to love life and be thankful for it! (_She staggers to +her feet, raising her glass, her voice no more than a hoarse whisper_.) +And as the only living soul among you, I drink to the joy of living! + + The Others (_holding out their glasses_). + +Good! Good! Bravo! + + Beata. + +(_Draws a deep breath, sets down her glass, and looks about her +confusedly. Her eyes rest on_ Richard, _and then turn to_ Michael, _to +whom she speaks_.) I think I will take your advice and go into the +other room for a little while. (_She rises with an effort_.) + + Kellinghausen. + +There, Beata! I warned you. + + Baron Ludwig (_offering her his arm_). + +Won't you take my arm, Countess? + + Beata. + +No, no--thanks! Michael, make my excuses. I shall be back in a few +minutes. (_She lingers in the doorway with a last smile and a last look +at_ Richard.) Good-bye. I shall be back--in a few minutes. (_Goes +out_.) + + Kellinghausen (_to the others_). + +Don't be alarmed. My wife often breaks down in this way--I knew by her +excitement that it was coming. Please sit down again. I assure you that +in a few minutes she--(_A heavy fall is heard in the next room_. +Richard _starts violently_. Michael _half springs from his seat, but +controls himself with an effort. There is a short pause_.)--she'll be +coming back laughing as usual. (_Whispers are heard behind the door to +the left_. Richard _is seen to listen intently_.) What are you +listening to? What's the matter? + + Richard (_agitated_). + +I beg your pardon--I thought I-- (Ellen _is heard to utter a piercing +scream. The men start to their feet_. Michael _rushes out_.) + + Baron Ludwig. + +Surely that was Countess Ellen's voice? + + Prince. + +It doesn't look as if the Countess were going to come back laughing as +usual. + + Michael _enters with a ghastly face_. + + Kellinghausen (_hoarsely_). + +The nearest doctor--any one--quick! (_Goes out again_. Richard _makes a +motion as though to follow him, then turns and rushes out of the door +to the right_.) + + Brachtmann. + +The Countess is subject to such attacks; but this seems--different. + + Prince. + +H'm--yes--quite so. (_There is a long silence_.) + + Brachtmann (_to_ Baron Ludwig). + +Your brother may not be able to find a doctor. + + Baron Ludwig. + +We must hope for the best. (_Another silence_.) + + Prince. + +Perhaps we had better be going---- + + Brachtmann. + +(_Nods his assent; then to_ Baron Ludwig.) Are you coming? + + Baron Ludwig. + +I shall wait for my brother. (_He shakes hands with them_.) + + Prince. + +H'm. (_He and_ Brachtmann _go out_. Baron Ludwig _walks up and down the +room shaking his head_.) + + _Enter_ Conrad. + + Baron Ludwig. + +Well? + + Conrad. + +I can't say yet, your Excellency. (_He goes to the table_.) We are +looking for the drops. Countess Ellen gave them to the Countess herself +before luncheon. + + Baron Ludwig. + +I thought I saw something in her hand at luncheon. Has any one looked +in her hand? + + Conrad. + +No. (_He goes out. There is a pause_.) + + _Enter_ Richard _and a doctor_. + + Richard. + +Well? Has anything---- + + Baron Ludwig. + +Nothing. + + Richard. + +Will you come this way, doctor? + + The Doctor. + +Thank you. (Richard _and the doctor go out_. Baron Ludwig _continues to +pace the floor_.) + + _Enter_ Norbert _by door on the right_. + + Norbert. + +Uncle, what has happened? I've just met Brachtmann and Usingen. They +said--uncle-- (Baron Ludwig _points silently to the door on the left_. +Norbert _hurries through it. Another pause_. Baron Ludwig _continues to +pace up and down. The doctor_, Richard _and_ Michael _come slowly into +the room_.) + + The Doctor (_after a silence_). + +Count, I am extremely sorry to have come too late. But it may be some +comfort to you to know that I could have done nothing. Death was the +result of heart disease--the end must have been instantaneous. May I +ask who was the Countess's regular physician? + + Kellinghausen. + +Dr. Kahlenberg. + + The Doctor. + +I will notify him at once. Permit me to offer my sympathy. + + Kellinghausen. + +Thank you, doctor. (_Shakes his hand and accompanies him to the door. +The doctor goes out_. Baron Ludwig _shakes_ Kellinghausen's _hand +silently, nods to_ Richard _and withdraws_.) + + Richard. + +Thank you, Michael--for letting me be with her---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Read this. (_Hands him_ Beata's _letter_.) + + Richard. + +(_Takes the letter, shudders at sight of the handwriting, tries to read +it, and then hands it back_.) I cannot---- + + Kellinghausen. + +Then I will read it to you. It's meant for both of us. (_He reads_.) +"Dear Michael, even if the poison is found in me they will think I took +it by mistake. To avoid suspicion I shall do it while we are all at +luncheon. I see that some one must pay the penalty--better I than he. +He has his work before him--I have lived my life. And so I mean to +steal a march on him. Whatever you have agreed upon between you, my +death will cancel the bargain--he cannot die now without causing the +scandal you have been so anxious to avert. I have always loved +happiness, and I find happiness now in doing this for his sake, and the +children's and yours. Beata." As she says, this cancels our agreement. +You see that I must give you back your word. + + Richard. + +And you see, Michael---- + + _Enter_ Norbert. + + Norbert. + +(_Throws himself weeping into_ Kellinghausen's _arms_.) Uncle Michael! + + Kellinghausen. + +Go, my son--go to Ellen. (Norbert _wrings_ Richard's _hand without +speaking, and goes out_.) + + Richard. + +And you see, Michael, that _I_ live because I must--that I +live--because I am dead---- + + + Curtain. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben), by +Hermann Sudermann + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOY OF LIVING *** + +***** This file should be named 34207.txt or 34207.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/2/0/34207/ + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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