Part 7

PAULA—Yes, please. And to save time won’t you get your pencil and take down my whole order? I want it sent ... with the bill, as soon as possible, please. I shall be in town only a few days more. The address is 128 Andrassy Street.

JUHASZ—[_Writes._] What apartment?

PAULA—The whole second floor.

JUHASZ—[_Writes, greatly bewildered._] Eight pajamas. Whole second floor.

PAULA—[_Reads from her list._] Twenty-four white neckties.

JUHASZ—For yourself?

PAULA—No, for my butler. I like him to wear a fresh tie every day.

JUHASZ—[_Writes; his voice trembles._] Twenty-four white ties for butler.

PAULA—Twenty-four pair of white lisle gloves.

JUHASZ—[_Writes._] For the butler?

PAULA—No, for my page boy.

JUHASZ—[_Writes._] Page boy.

PAULA—And some gloves for myself. Those motoring gloves ... with the ends like a funnel.... You know what I mean.

JUHASZ—Gauntlets.

PAULA—Gauntlets, yes.

JUHASZ—[_Writes disconsolately._] Gauntlets.

PAULA—[_Sighs._] Gauntlets.

JUHASZ—But ... they are only worn for driving.

PAULA—I drive my own car.

JUHASZ—[_Sits down._] A big car?

PAULA—It’s standing out front.... Fifty horse-power.

JUHASZ—Fifty? [_Writes._] Gauntlets.... How many pair? ... Fifty?

PAULA—Six will be plenty until I get to Paris. I can buy more there if I need them. You can get everything in Paris.

JUHASZ—Yes.... You can get everything in Paris.... A wonderful city.

PAULA—But so far to motor to.... I’m afraid the journey will be tiresome.

JUHASZ—You won’t be bored.... You probably aren’t going alone....

PAULA—Certainly not.

JUHASZ—Your mother?

PAULA—No. Mother is in Vienna, but from there she is going on to Wiesbaden to wait for us. We will pick her up on our way home.

JUHASZ—[_Earnestly, aroused._] Is there anything the matter with your mother?

PAULA—Her health, you mean? No. She’s only going to Wiesbaden to play cards. [_There is a pause. She reads from her list._] Could you have a footman’s cap made up for me quickly?

JUHASZ—Footman?

PAULA—I’ve been so annoyed about his cap. The one he brought with him was all covered with gold braid. He looked just like a hotel doorman. What I wish you’d get for me is something discreet and in good taste, something suitable for a private dwelling.

JUHASZ—A private dwelling....

PAULA—Yes. For a lady living alone.

JUHASZ—[_Tremblingly writes._] Footman ... cap ... private dwelling.... I’ll look around at the cap-maker’s.

PAULA—I shall be awfully obliged. [_She rises. There is a pause._]

JUHASZ—[_Rises._] Not at all. It’s I who am obliged.

PAULA—[_Meets his eyes steadily._] Why do you look at me so strangely?

JUHASZ—[_Looks down at his list._] I’m pleased to see how clever you have been.... Butler, motor car, private dwelling, white gloves. I didn’t know....

PAULA—You didn’t know?

JUHASZ—No.

PAULA—But ... the whole city knows——

JUHASZ—Let us not talk about that, Paula. The important thing is that you are happy. Is his excellency well?

PAULA—[_Nervously._] He is a perfect gentleman. One must say that for him.

JUHASZ—Certainly.

PAULA—After he had gone to the trouble and expense of buying and furnishing a whole house for me.... You probably know the place ... that little mansion in Biedermeyer style that belonged to the late Count Schattenheim....

JUHASZ—Yes....

PAULA—He bought it for me and furnished it beautifully and then he had the tact to go off to Monte Carlo. And when he got there he sent me a thousand-word telegram.

JUHASZ—A thousand. That’s a lot of words.

PAULA—A telegram to the effect that he had gone off because he didn’t wish to influence my decision in any way.... I must be free to shape my own destiny, he said.... The mansion was mine ... on the day that ... of my own free will ... I entered it. On the desk in my boudoir ... he said ... I would find a telegram already written and addressed. It consists of a single word, “Come.” ... Twenty-eight hours after I send that telegram he will knock on my door.... So far ... that is all that’s happened.... Tactful of him, wasn’t it?

JUHASZ—Very.

PAULA—That was ten days ago.

JUHASZ—Yes?

PAULA—[_More and more nervously._] I haven’t sent the telegram yet. [_There is a pause._]

JUHASZ—[_More and more calmly._] I can imagine how eagerly he must be awaiting it.

PAULA—He said he would wait fourteen days. I have four days left....

JUHASZ—From what you ordered here, I observe——

PAULA—[_Sharply._] I haven’t sent the telegram yet. [_A pause._]

JUHASZ—One needs time for everything.

PAULA—I have four days left. [_Nervously._] And as the last day draws nearer ... I have been wondering ... because you have always been so good to me ... what _you_ would think about it.

JUHASZ—I should consider it very clever of you.

PAULA—Are you advising me to do it?

JUHASZ—I am reconciling myself to the idea.

PAULA—You ... you would despise me, Mr. Juhasz, wouldn’t you?

JUHASZ—How can you suppose such a thing?

PAULA—You see how....

JUHASZ—I see how clever you are. And how happy you will be.

PAULA—[_Sharply._] I’ll send it off ... this afternoon.

JUHASZ—Then the Count ought to receive it to-night.

PAULA—Yes.

JUHASZ—I can imagine ... how happy he will be.

PAULA—Yes. He loves me ... very much.

JUHASZ—I know. [_There is a pause. The PATIENT LADY enters._]

PATIENT LADY—Good morning.

PHILIP—Good morning, madame. I’ll be with you in a moment.

PAULA—[_Sulkily._] I don’t want to detain you. Good-bye, Mr. Juhasz. [_She extends her hand. He takes it._]

JUHASZ—Good-bye. [_OSCAR enters through the archway. The PATIENT LADY goes to him._]

PAULA—There is something I forgot.

JUHASZ—Yes?

PAULA—You used to have a certain French perfume.

JUHASZ—Yes.

PAULA—It seems to me it was called “Exquisite heur.” A very strong, sensuous perfume. A perfume for bad women.

JUHASZ—Oh!

PAULA—At least you said only bad women would use it, and even they ... only for ... the most intimate occasions.

JUHASZ—[_Wincing._] Yes, I have some left.

PAULA—I’ll have a bottle, please.... Two bottles....

JUHASZ—You are a bit cruel, Paula. You might at least have bought _that_ somewhere else.

PAULA—I’d rather buy it here.

JUHASZ—As you like. [_To OSCAR._] The lady wants some perfume. [_OSCAR takes his place._] That penetrating stuff.... Exquisite heur. [_Sharply._] That perfume for harlots! [_To the PATIENT LADY._] What can I show you, madame?

OSCAR—Yes, sir.

PATIENT LADY—I’d like to look at some scarfs, Mr. Juhasz. And a nice sweater.

JUHASZ—Shall we look at the sweaters first? [_Indicates the archway._] Will you step in here, please? [_She exits through the archway. He follows her. PAULA stares thoughtfully after them._]

OSCAR—[_Shrilly._] Exquisite heur?

PAULA—[_Starts._] For mercy’s sake ... you?

OSCAR—It’s me.

PAULA—Mr. Oscar! You here again?

OSCAR—I’m here, but I’m not Mr. Oscar any more. [_He goes quickly to the table down left, selects a bottle of perfume, gives it to her._] Exquisite heur. [_Crosses right, behind the counter._]

PAULA—[_Shakes her head._] What are you doing here?

OSCAR—[_Cheerfully._] My affairs didn’t go so well.

PAULA—Where is Mrs.——

OSCAR—She’s _my_ wife now.

PAULA—And Mr. Juhasz took you back? You must have begged him on your knees.

OSCAR—That wouldn’t have done any good. You have to know how to handle him. There were a lot of customers here, and I started right in waiting on one. Pure psychology! I know Mr. Juhasz backwards.... He hasn’t got the heart to throw anybody out.... Is there anything else I can get you?

PAULA—No, thank you. [_The OLD GENTLEMAN enters._]

OLD GENTLEMAN—Good morning.

OSCAR—Good morning, professor. [_To PAULA._] See you again. [_To the OLD GENTLEMAN._] What can I do for you, sir?

OLD GENTLEMAN—I want a pair of inexpensive gloves.

OSCAR—Inexpensive. Yes, sir. What kind? Won’t you sit down?

OLD GENTLEMAN—Swedish. Size nine and a half. Dark gray. [_Sits at about the middle of the right counter._]

OSCAR—[_Lays out a box._] Dark gray. Swedish. Nine and a half. [_To PAULA, who is crossing slowly to the table down left._] See you again some time. [_To the OLD GENTLEMAN._] How do you like these? [_Opens and expands a pair._]

OLD GENTLEMAN—Are they Swedish?

OSCAR—Why, old Heinrich Ibsen himself wasn’t as Swedish as these gloves are.

OLD GENTLEMAN—Ibsen was a Norwegian.

OSCAR—I said he wasn’t as Swedish! Ha, ha! [_Passes over the gloves. JUHASZ and the PATIENT LADY enter through the archway._]

PATIENT LADY—[_As she enters._] Now about the scarfs.

JUHASZ—[_Comes down to the table._] They are here, madame. [_Shows her one._] They are quite new.

PATIENT LADY—I saw some like these at Braun’s some time ago.

OSCAR—Not like those you didn’t, madame, not like those! [_He is forcing a glove on the OLD GENTLEMAN’S hand._] Now push, push hard!

JUHASZ—[_Has passed to the end of the counter down right._] Here are some in plain colors. [_Puts out a box._] They are in much better taste. Sit down, please. [_The PATIENT LADY sits at the counter. JUHASZ is behind it. PAULA, at the table down left, is looking at him sulkily._]

OSCAR—Push, professor, push! [_Helps him._]

OLD GENTLEMAN—If I do it will burst.

OSCAR—Don’t you care.

OLD GENTLEMAN—Better stretch it a bit more.

OSCAR—Let it burst, professor. A glove oughtn’t } to be stretched too much. It will go on your } hand all right. } [_Simultaneously._] } JUHASZ—This dark green isn’t bad. Or do you } prefer this gray and black? }

[_PAULA takes off her gloves. Then her hat. Throws them determinedly on the table. All look at her._]

OSCAR—[_Loudly, quickly, to bridge the uncomfortable silence which ensues._] Perhaps we _had_ better take a half size larger, professor. Just one moment....

PHILIP—[_Joins in loudly._] This isn’t } expensive at all, if you consider the } quality.... } } OSCAR— ... to try this size. It doesn’t matter } if they fit a bit easy. Better that way than } too snug. } } PHILIP—You can’t get quality without paying for } it. We have a customer, an old gentleman, who } always says “The cheapest is dearest in the } long run.” And he’s quite right. I believe that } [_Loudly and if you.... } simultaneously._] } OSCAR—Or we will stick to the eight and a half } if you like. They aren’t so very tight. Some } people prefer them that way. It’s all a matter } of taste. } } JUHASZ—[_Joins in shrilly._] This is pure } lamb’s wool and that makes it warmer than } another scarf twice its weight.... And it’s } fashionable too.... We carry all the plain } colors, but the striped ones come only in two } shades, gray against a black ground or.... }

[_Meantime PAULA has gone to the cashier’s desk, glanced back at JUHASZ once more, and now, with a petulant stamp of her foot, she goes behind the desk. A sudden silence falls. She rolls up her sleeves and sits in the cashier’s place. Her face is resolutely set. OSCAR, PHILIP and JUHASZ watch her, aghast._]

PHILIP—It is always a good plan to buy the } best, for it gives the most satisfaction and } lasts the longest.... } } [_Simultaneously, OSCAR—They may be uncomfortable for a day or } softly, stammering; two, but then they begin to conform with the } all begin at shape of your hand, and you are glad you.... } the same time._] } JUHASZ—You will find these very practical for } cold weather. And they are ideal for skating in } winter. Both men and women wear them.... }

[_He is greatly distressed; his voice trembles._] We often sell several of these to the same customer ... three or four at a time ... even more ... I recommend them highly, madame. [_There is a pause. PAULA sits obstinately behind the cashier’s desk._]

OSCAR—Just push a little harder, please. [_He helps the OLD GENTLEMAN._] Push, push!

PATIENT LADY—I’ll take these three. What do they cost?

JUHASZ—[_His voice trembles._] Forty kronen each, madame.

PATIENT LADY—[_Rises._] Send them, please. [_Fumbles in her purse._] Three times forty.... One hundred and twenty.

JUHASZ—Yes. One hundred and twenty.

PATIENT LADY—After all, I think two will be plenty.... Let me see which two. [_They compare the scarfs._]

THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—[_Rises._] What does it all come to? [_She has money in her hand._]

PHILIP—Three hundred and ten kronen, madame.

THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—[_Turns toward the cashier’s desk._] Three hundred and ten. [_She is about to go to PAULA._]

PHILIP—[_Loudly, harshly._] No, no! [_She turns to him in surprise._] You can pay me, please.

THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—Not the cashier?

PHILIP—[_With conviction._] No. [_She pays him._]

PHILIP—Thank you, madame. Three hundred and ten. I’ll get them out for you Thursday without fail.

THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—I think that’s everything. If I find I have forgotten anything I’ll come in again to-morrow morning. Good day.

PHILIP—[_Sees her to the door._] Good day, madame.

PAULA—[_Echoes his salutation, very loudly._] Good day! [_PHILIP gives her a disdainful glance and returns to the back counter where he begins to clear away._]

PATIENT LADY—One is prettier than the other.... Oh, well, send the three of them. Three times forty ... [_takes out money_] makes one hundred and twenty.

JUHASZ—[_Uneasily._] One hundred and twenty.

PATIENT LADY—[_With a glance at PAULA._] Do I pay the cashier?

JUHASZ—[_Very uncomfortable._] Perhaps ... it’s all the same ... you had better pay me.

PATIENT LADY—[_Puts the money down._] One hundred and twenty.

JUHASZ—One hundred and twenty. Thank you, madame. [_Puts the money in his pocket._] They will be delivered this afternoon.

PATIENT LADY—Thank you. Good day. [_Goes to the door._]

JUHASZ—Good day, madame.

PHILIP—[_Holds the door open for her._] Good day.

PAULA—[_Emphatically, with a bow._] Good day! [_The PATIENT LADY exits._]

PHILIP—[_To PAULA, with an inflection of contemptuous amazement._] Good day? [_The ARISTOCRATIC LADY enters._]

PAULA—Good day.

PHILIP—[_Very cordially._] Good day.

ARISTOCRATIC LADY—[_To PHILIP._] What about my raincoat?

PHILIP—We are expecting it from Vienna any day, madame.

OLD GENTLEMAN—[_Takes the package which OSCAR has made up for him._] What do I owe?

OSCAR—Twenty-four kronen.

OLD GENTLEMAN—I suppose you can change a thousand.

OSCAR—[_Hesitates, leans over the counter, looks from PAULA to JUHASZ, then calls._] I ... eh ... a thousand?... Oh, Mr. Juhasz! The gentleman wants to know if we can change a thousand. [_There is a painful silence._]

PAULA—[_Rises, addresses the OLD GENTLEMAN sweetly._] Certainly, sir.

OSCAR—Just a moment, sir. [_The OLD GENTLEMAN, on the point of going to PAULA, pauses, in surprise._]

JUHASZ—[_In great perplexity._] How much does the gentleman pay?

OSCAR—[_Leaning far out over the counter, looks from JUHASZ to PAULA then back again._] Twenty-four.

JUHASZ—[_After a short inward struggle._] Cash! Twenty-four out of a thousand! [_The OLD GENTLEMAN goes to PAULA, pays her._]

PAULA—[_Ecstatically._] Twenty-four out of a thousand. [_Rings the register loudly, opens the drawer._] Twenty-four and six make thirty ... fifty ... one hundred ... two ... five ... and five are one thousand. Thank you, sir.

OLD GENTLEMAN—Good day.

PAULA—Come and see us again.

OLD GENTLEMAN—[_Has gone to the door, counting his change, now turns._] Look here! You gave me a hundred too much. [_Returns a banknote to her._]

PAULA—[_In confusion._] Oh, I beg your pardon.

OLD GENTLEMAN—That’s all right. I never mind getting too much. [_He exits, chuckling over his joke._]

OSCAR—[_Has replaced the boxes on the shelves._] No matter. Such things happen. [_He goes out through the archway._]

PHILIP—[_To the ARISTOCRATIC LADY._] Shall we look at the Burberrys?

JUHASZ—[_To the ARISTOCRATIC LADY._] That coat from Vienna should arrive to-night at the latest.

ARISTOCRATIC LADY—Am I mistaken? That man who just went in there.... Wasn’t that ... Oscar?

JUHASZ—Yes.

ARISTOCRATIC LADY—Is he back here again?

JUHASZ—He’s ... helping out.

ARISTOCRATIC LADY—[_Stares at PAULA._] Helping out?... and ... this is the young lady who used to be here, isn’t it?

PAULA—[_Ironically sweet._] Yes, madame, the same young lady.

ARISTOCRATIC LADY—Come, Mr. Philip, let us look at the Burberrys, and you can tell me all about it. [_Sees that JUHASZ is about to follow her._] Don’t you bother, Mr. Juhasz. We’ll manage without you. [_She and PHILIP exit through the archway. JUHASZ stands rigid, mute. A cabman enters from the street, whip in hand._]

CABMAN—Beg pardon, lady.... Have you forgot me? You said I wouldn’t have to wait long.

JUHASZ—[_Thrusts his hand in his pocket._] How much do you get?

CABMAN—Three kronen.

JUHASZ—Here are six for you.

PAULA—Nothing of the kind. [_Opens the drawer of the register._] Three kronen fifty are plenty. [_Gives the money to the CABMAN._] There you are. [_The CABMAN looks at the money, then at JUHASZ and at PAULA._] What are you waiting for?

CABMAN—[_Disappointed, surly._] All right, all right. I’m going. [_Gives her a withering glance and exits. There is a brief pause._]

JUHASZ—What about the motor?

PAULA—That was it.

JUHASZ—Fifty horse-power.

PAULA—Only one horse-power.

JUHASZ—[_Goes to the cashier’s desk._] Then ... the motor is in the garage?

PAULA—In the moon.

JUHASZ—That’s far off.

PAULA—Far off.

JUHASZ—Shall I telephone now about the footman’s cap?

PAULA—Don’t bother. The footman has his cap.

JUHASZ—Has he?

PAULA—But he hasn’t got a job.

JUHASZ—How’s that?

PAULA—Because there is no mansion for him to work in. While I sat over there ... [_points to the counter_] there might have been.

JUHASZ—Gauntlets?

PAULA—Shan’t need any.

JUHASZ—Twenty-four pair of white gloves.

PAULA—That’s twenty-three too many. I do need one pair.

JUHASZ—One pair?

PAULA—For myself.

JUHASZ—Eight pair ladies’ silk pajamas.

PAULA—[_Low, shyly._] If you think I——

JUHASZ—You need them. [_Ardently._] Of course you need them.... Perfume.... Exquisite heur.

PAULA—No, indeed!

JUHASZ—Yes. Three bottles.

PAULA—I hate the stuff.

JUHASZ—I adore it. It’s the most beautiful scent on earth. Four bottles!

PAULA—If you like it so much ... you may order a barrel. [_There is a brief pause._]

JUHASZ—[_Jealously._] And ... what about the telegram?

PAULA—[_Rises slowly._] I wonder how it is ... that some people can have such tender hearts and such very thick heads! [_He hesitates a moment, then he takes her head in his hands and kisses her. PHILIP and the ARISTOCRATIC LADY re-enter._]

PHILIP—Cash! Two hundred and forty. [_Shouts._] Cash! Two hundred and forty. [_JUHASZ and PAULA separate hastily. JUHASZ slinks bashfully down right._]

ARISTOCRATIC LADY—[_She is carrying a package._] How interesting! [_Goes to the cashier’s desk._] My husband is going to Wiesbaden. I hear your mother will be there too.

PAULA—My mother is at home, madame, and intends to stay there.

ARISTOCRATIC LADY—[_To PHILIP._] But you told me——

PAULA—Idle gossip, madame. [_Points to the package._] Are you paying for that now?

ARISTOCRATIC LADY—No. Charge it, please. As usual.

PAULA—[_Very curt and businesslike._] Yes, madame. But we must ask you not to charge any more things here until your old account is settled. [_The ARISTOCRATIC LADY gasps._] And about that old account. We must have a check by the first of the month or we shall be compelled to place it in our attorney’s hands.

ARISTOCRATIC LADY—What’s that you say? [_JUHASZ makes a gesture of protest._]

PAULA—In our attorney’s hands. From to-day on we are inaugurating a new policy of extending credits for a limited period only.

ARISTOCRATIC LADY—[_Furious._] Mr. Juhasz, what do you say to this?

PAULA—[_Before JUHASZ can answer._] Mr. Juhasz has nothing to say to it. He has given me entire charge of the credit department. [_JUHASZ hangs his head._]

ARISTOCRATIC LADY—[_Indignantly._] Good day.

PAULA—Good day. [_The ARISTOCRATIC LADY sweeps indignantly out._]

PHILIP and JUHASZ—[_Simultaneously._] Good day.

PAULA—That settles her. And there are a few more like her I mean to attend to. [_There is a pause._]

OSCAR—[_Comes through the archway, a letter in his hand._] Those waterproof coats haven’t been ordered yet, Miss Paula. Shall I write and order some? [_He puts the letter down on the desk before her._]

PAULA—Oscar ... I hope you understand that....

OSCAR—[_Grinning._] I understand. I can take my hat and go. [_Takes his cap out of his pocket._]

PAULA—You guessed it.

OSCAR—Good-bye. Good-bye, everybody. [_Makes a deep tow to each in turn._]

JUHASZ—Take a dozen pair of socks before you go.

OSCAR—[_Jovially; taps his pocket._] I have.

JUHASZ—Take two dozen.

OSCAR—I took three. Good-bye, Miss Paula. [_He exits to the street._]

PAULA—[_Calls sharply._] Philip! [_PHILIP has been leaning resignedly against the shelves at back. Now he straightens up with a start, silently takes his hat and stick._] No. You aren’t dismissed. [_She takes something out of her purse._] What opera are they singing to-night?

PHILIP—[_Resentfully._] Lohengrin.

PAULA—You go off at six to-night ... and take this with my compliments.

PHILIP—[_Looks at the ticket; joyfully._] Parquet ... eighth row.

PAULA—It was the best I could get.

JUHASZ—[_Beaming._] Philip, you’ll see the swan to-night. [_The THOROUGH YOUNG LADY enters from the street._]

THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—I knew I’d forget something.... I forgot to tell you that I don’t want a period after each initial of the monograms on those handkerchiefs.... Just the letters without the periods.

PAULA—[_Graciously._] Certainly, madame. We never have periods embroidered unless they are specially ordered.

PHILIP—[_Who has gone behind his counter._] I’ll make a note of it, madame, to be quite sure.

PAULA—Is there anything else you would like to-day? [_Comes around to the table._] Are you interested in these girdles with antique silver buckles? They are just in from Paris. [_She holds one up._]

THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—May I see?

PAULA—There are only a few, as you see, and they are selling very fast. So if you’d like one——

THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—I couldn’t possibly afford one this month.

JUHASZ—That doesn’t matter in the least, madame. Why, you can pay——

PAULA—[_Catches him up quickly, with unmistakable emphasis._] For something cheaper, perhaps. Unfortunately we can’t charge these girdles because we had to pay cash for them ourselves. They are not ordinary merchandise, you see. They are made by a new atelier in Paris which—— [_As she speaks, and JUHASZ watches her, enchanted,_]

THE CURTAIN FALLS

THE SWAN

A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS

By FRANZ MOLNAR

English text by Benjamin Glazer

COSTUME NOTES

HYACINTH: A dark brown robe, like that of the Carmelites. Snow-white hair.

ALBERT: In the first and third acts the uniform of an Austrian general. In the second act an Austrian general’s full dress uniform, with many decorations, but without any insignia of rank.

WUNDERLICH: The uniform of a colonel of the Uhlans. Conspicuous shoulder straps on his tunic.

CÆSAR: Full evening dress, black bow tie, white gloves. In the third act a Redingot, with a big, white cravat.

LUETZEN: A light-colored sack suit in the first act. In the second act, evening dress, with decorations.

ALFRED: Evening dress, black tie, white gloves.

HUSSARS: Short black boots; red trousers; dark blue tunics, richly trimmed; white gloves.

PERSONS

PRINCESS BEATRICE SYMPHOROSA, _her sister_ HYACINTH, _her brother_ ALEXANDRA, _her daughter_ GEORG } _sons of Princess Beatrice_ ARSEN } DR. HANS AGI PRINCE ALBERT PRINCESS MARIA DOMINICA COUNT LUETZEN COLONEL WUNDERLICH COUNTESS SIBENSTEYN CÆSAR ALFRED Chambermaid The Governor’s Wife A Lady Hussars, lackeys

_The action takes place in the castle of the Princess Beatrice._

ACT ONE

ACT ONE

SCENE—_A pavilion in the garden which serves as a classroom for the young princes. At left an open door through which the garden can be seen, brilliant with sunlight. At right a glass door which leads into the other rooms. It is a summer afternoon. When the curtain rises DR. AGI is lecturing to GEORG and ARSEN at a table. The boys are listening attentively._