Part 12
Oh, it isn't certain. "Have offer," she says, and not "have accepted offer." No, we'll have to talk it over first.
MARIE
Really?
AMADEUS
Of course. We consult each other about everything, my dear Marie--just as we used to do. And in a much more impersonal spirit than before. As far as I am concerned, I shall be quite free next year, and have no more reason to live in Vienna than in Berlin or in America.
MARIE
But it will be dreadful for me if Cecilia goes away.
AMADEUS
Well, these successes abroad may possibly force the people here to understand what they have in Cecilia, and to act accordingly.
MARIE
I hope so.--Besides, I think really that Cecilia has developed a great deal lately. To me her voice seems fuller and richer--with more soul to it, I might say.
AMADEUS
Yes, don't you think so? That's my feeling, too.
MARIE
But how she _does_ work! It had never occurred to me that a finished artist might be so industrious.
AMADEUS
Might, you say? Must, you should say.
MARIE
Last summer, when I came out mornings in the garden to play with my children, she would be practicing already--just like a young student. With absolute regularity, from nine until a quarter of ten. Then again before lunch, from twelve to half past. And finally another half hour in the evening.... If the weather was good or bad; if she was in good spirits or....
AMADEUS
Or...?
MARIE
She was always in good spirits for that matter. I don't think anything in the world could have kept her from practicing those runs and trills.
AMADEUS
Yes, that's her way. Nothing in the world could keep her from.... But then, what could there be to keep her from it last Summer? In that rustic retreat of yours, where you didn't see anybody ... or hardly anybody....
MARIE
Nobody at all.
AMADEUS
Well, you received a call now and then--or Cecilia did, at least.
MARIE
Oh, I see. You mean--Prince Sigismund. He could hardly be said to call.
AMADEUS (_smilingly, with an appearance of unconcern_)
Why not?
MARIE
He merely whisked by on his wheel.
AMADEUS (_as before_)
Oh, he must at least have stopped to lean against a tree for a few moments. He must even have taken time enough--and I am mighty glad he did--to photograph the little house in which you were living. (_He takes from the desk a small framed photograph and hands it to Marie, who is seated on the couch_)
MARIE (_surprised_)
And you have that standing on your writing desk?
AMADEUS (_slightly puzzled_)
Why shouldn't I?
MARIE (_studying the photograph_)
Just as it was--Cecilia and I sitting on the bench there--yes. And there's the hazel by the garden fence.... How it does bring back the memory of that beautiful, warm Summer day...
AMADEUS (_bending over the desk to look at the picture_)
I can make out you and Cecilia, but those three boys puzzle me hopelessly.
MARIE
In what way...? That's little Peter, who is doing like this ... (_She blinks_)
AMADEUS
Oh, is that it?
MARIE
And that's Max--and he with the hoop is Mauritz.
AMADEUS
So that's a hoop?... I took it for one of those cabins used by the watchmen along the railroad. The background comes out much better. The landscape actually looks as if steeped in Summer and stillness.... (_Brief pause_)
MARIE
It was really nice. The deep shadows of the woods right back of the house, and that view of the mountain peaks--oh, marvelous! And then the seclusion.... It's too bad that you never had a look at that darling place. We thought ... Cecilia did expect you after all....
AMADEUS (_has risen and is walking to and fro_)
I don't believe it.... And it didn't prove feasible, for that matter. The pull of the South was still on me.
MARIE (_smiling_)
You call that the South?
AMADEUS (_smiling also_)
Oh, Marie!
MARIE (_a little embarrassed_)
I hope you're not offended?
AMADEUS
Why should I be? I didn't make a secret of my whereabouts to anybody.
MARIE (_confidentially_)
Albert told me about the villa, and the park, and the marble steps....
AMADEUS
So he gave you all those details? And yet he wasn't there more than an hour.
MARIE
I think he intends to use the park for his last act.
AMADEUS
Is that so? If he would only bring it to me... I mean the last act. I want to take it with me on my tour.
MARIE
Do you think you'll find time to work?
AMADEUS
Why not? I am always working. And I have never in my life been more eager about it. I, too, am having a brilliant period. For years I have not been doing better. And I am no less industrious than Cecilia. With the difference that regular hours are not in my line--nine to nine-forty-five, twelve to twelve-thirty, and so on. But you ask Albert! When he threw himself on the bed exhausted, in that inn at the Fedaja Pass, I sat down and finished the instrumentation for the _Capriccio_ in my Fourth.
CHAMBERMAID (_enters with a couple of letters and goes out again_)
AMADEUS
You'll pardon me, my dear Marie?
MARIE
Please don't mind me. (_She rises_)
AMADEUS
A letter from Cecilia, written yesterday, before the performance. I have had letters like this every day.
MARIE
Go right on and read it, please.
AMADEUS (_having opened the letter_)
Oh, there's plenty of time. In another hour Cecilia will be telling me all that's in it.... (_He opens the other letter, runs through it, and flings it away_) How stupid people are ... _how_ stupid! ... Ugh! And mean! (_He glances through Cecilia's letter once more_) Cecilia writes me about a reception at the house of the Director.... Sigismund was there, too. Yes, you know, of course, that Sigismund has been in Berlin?
MARIE (_embarrassed_)
I ... I thought ... Or rather, I knew ...
AMADEUS (_with an air of superiority_)
Well, well--there is no cause for embarrassment in that. Don't you consider the Prince an uncommonly sympathetic person?
MARIE
Yes, he's very pleasant. But I can assure you, Amadeus, that he came only once to our place in the Pustertal,[4] and he didn't stay more than two hours.
[4] A valley along the river Rienz, marking the northern limit of the Dolomite ranges in the Tirol.
AMADEUS (_laughing_)
And what if he had stayed a week...? Really, Marie, you're very funny!
MARIE (_shyly_)
May I tell you something?
AMADEUS
Anything you want, Marie.
MARIE
I'm convinced that you two will find each other again in spite of all.
AMADEUS
Find each other...? Who should? Cecilia and I? (_He rises_) Find each other? (_He walks to and fro, but stops finally near Marie_) A sensible woman like you, Marie--you ought to understand that Cecilia and I have never lost each other in any way. I think it's very singular.... (_He strolls back and forth again_) Oh, you must understand that the relationship between her and me is so beautiful--that now only it has become such that we couldn't imagine anything more satisfactory. We don't have to find each other again! Look here now--here are her letters. She has been writing me from eight to twelve pages every day--frank, exhaustive letters, as you can only write them to a friend--or rather, only to your very best friend. It is simply impossible to imagine a finer relationship.
ALBERT (_entering from the right_)
Good evening.
AMADEUS
You're rather late in getting here.
ALBERT
Good evening, Marie. (_He pats her patronizingly on the cheek_)
AMADEUS
There will hardly be time for work now. Cecilia will be here very soon.
ALBERT
Oh, we can always put in half an hour. I have brought along some notes for the third act.
MARIE
I think I shall go home, as the boys will be expecting me soon.
ALBERT
All right, child, you go on home.
AMADEUS
Why don't you stay instead? I am sure Cecilia will be glad to see you. And then Albert can take you home. You might get Peter to entertain you in the meantime.... Or would you prefer to stay here and listen?
ALBERT
No, child, you had better go in to Peter. Especially as Mr. von Rabagas doesn't appear in the third act--so you won't be losing much.
MARIE
I'll leave you alone. Bye-bye! (_She goes out_)
ALBERT
Now let's fall to! (_He brings out some notes from one of his pockets and begins to read_) "The stage shows an open stretch of rolling ground that slopes gradually toward the footlights. In the background stands a villa, with marble steps leading up to it. Still farther back, the sea can be felt rather than seen." (_Bowing to Amadeus_) "A tall plane tree in full leaf stands in the center of the stage."
AMADEUS (_laughing_)
So you have got it there?
ALBERT
It's meant as a compliment to you.
AMADEUS
Many thanks.
ALBERT (_after a pause_)
Tell me, Amadeus, is it actually true that the Count has become reconciled with the Countess after his duel with the painter?
AMADEUS
I don't know. For a good long while I haven't seen the Countess except at the opera. (_He rises and begins walking to and fro again_)
ALBERT (_shaking his head_)
There's something uncanny about that affair.
AMADEUS
Why? I think it's quite commonplace. A husband who has discovered his wife's (_sarcastically_) "disloyalty"....
ALBERT
That wasn't the point. But that he discovers it only six months too late, when his wife is already deceiving him with another man.--There would have been nothing peculiar about the Count having a fight with you. But the case is much more complicated. Here we have a young man all but killed because of an affair that is long past. And in the meantime you are left perfectly unmolested--or have been so far, at least.
AMADEUS (_walking as before_)
ALBERT
Do you know, what I almost regret--looking at it from a higher viewpoint? That the painter is not a man of genius ... and that the Count hasn't _really_ killed him. That would have put something tremendously tragi-comical into the situation. And that's what would have happened, if ... _he up there_ had a little more wit....
AMADEUS
How? What do you mean by that?
ALBERT
I mean, if I had been writing the play....
AMADEUS (_makes a movement as if hearing some noise outside_)
ALBERT
What is it?
AMADEUS
I thought I heard a carriage, but it was nothing. (_He looks at his watch_) And it wouldn't be possible yet.... You read on, please. (_Once more he begins walking back and forth_)
ALBERT
You're very preoccupied. I'll rather come back to-morrow morning.
AMADEUS
No, go on. I am not at all....
ALBERT (_rising_)
Let me tell you something, Amadeus. If it would please you--and it would be all one to me, you know--I could go with you.
AMADEUS
Where?... What do you mean?
ALBERT
On your tour. For a week, at least, or a fortnight, I should be very glad to stay by you ... (_affectionately_) until you have got over the worst.
AMADEUS
But...! Good gracious, do you think it's because of the Countess...? Why, that story is over long ago.
ALBERT
Which I know. And I know, too, that you are now trying other means of making yourself insensible. But I see perfectly well that, under the circumstances, you can't succeed all at once.
AMADEUS
What circumstances are you talking of anyhow?
ALBERT
My dear fellow, I should never have dreamt of forcing myself into your confidence, but as the matter has already got into the papers....
AMADEUS
What has got into the papers?
ALBERT
Haven't you read that thing in the New Journal to-night?
AMADEUS
What thing?
ALBERT
That Cecilia and Prince Sigismund.... But, of course, you are familiar with the main facts?
AMADEUS
I'm familiar with nothing. What is in the New Journal?
ALBERT
Just a brief notice--without any names, but not to be mistaken.... It reads something like this: "One of our foremost artists, who has just been celebrating triumphs in the metropolis of an adjoining state ... until now the wife of a gifted musician" ... or perhaps it was "highly gifted" ... and so on ... and so on ... "and a well-known Austrian gentleman, belonging to our oldest nobility, intend, we are told ..." and so on....
AMADEUS
Cecilia and the Prince...?!
ALBERT
Yes ... and then a hint that, in such a case, it would not prove very difficult to obtain a dispensation from the Pope....
AMADEUS
Has everybody gone crazy?... I can assure you that not a word of it is true!... You won't believe me?... I hope you don't think I would deny it, if.... Or do you actually mean that Cecilia might have ... from me.... Oh, dear, and you are supposed to be a friend of ours, a student of the human soul, and a poet!
ALBERT
I beg your pardon, but after what has happened it would not seem improbable....
AMADEUS
Not improbable...? It is simply impossible! Cecilia has never thought of it!
ALBERT
However, it ought not to surprise you that such a rumor has been started.
AMADEUS
Nothing surprises me. But I feel as if the relationship between Cecilia and myself were being profaned by tittle-tattle of that kind.
ALBERT
Pioneers like yourself must scorn the judgment of the world. Else they are in danger of being proved mere braggarts.
AMADEUS
Oh, I am no pioneer. The whole thing is a private arrangement between me and Cecilia, which gives us both the greatest possible comfort. Be kind enough, at least, to tell the people who ask you, that we are not going to be divorced--but that, on the other hand, we are not deceiving each other, as it is asserted in these scrawls with which I have been bombarded for some time. (_He indicates the letter which arrived at the same time as Cecilia's_)
ALBERT (_picks up the letter, glances through it, and puts it away again_) An anonymous letter...? Well, that's part of it....
AMADEUS
Explain to them, please, that there can be no talk of deceit where no lies have been told. Tell them that Cecilia's and my way of keeping faith with each other is probably a much better one than that practiced in so many other marriages, where both go their own ways all day long and have nothing in common but the night. You are a poet, are you not--and a student of the human soul? Well, why don't you make all this clear to the people who refuse to understand?
ALBERT
To convey all that would prove a rather complicated process. But if it means so much to you, I could make a play out of it. Then they would have no trouble in comprehending this new kind of marriage--at least between the hours of eight-thirty and ten.
AMADEUS
Are you so sure of that?
ALBERT
Absolutely. In a play I can make the case much clearer than it is presented by reality--without any of those superfluous, incidental side issues, which are so confusing in life. The main advantage is, however, that no spectators attend the entr'acts, so that I can do just what I please with you during those periods. And besides, I shall make you offer an analogy illuminating the whole case.
AMADEUS
An analogy, you say...?
ALBERT
Yes, analogies always have a very soothing effect. You will remark to a friend--or whoever may prove handy--something like this: "What do you want me to do anyhow? Suppose that Cecilia and I were living in a nice house, where we felt perfectly comfortable, and which had a splendid view that pleased us very much, and a wonderful garden where we liked to take walks together. And suppose that one of us should feel a desire sometime to pick strawberries in the woods beyond the fence. Should that be a reason for the other one to raise a cry all at once about faithlessness, or disgrace, or betrayal? Should that force us to sell the house and garden, or make us imagine that we could never more look out of the window together, or walk under our splendid trees? Merely because our strawberries happened to be growing on the other side of the fence..."
AMADEUS
And you would make me say that?
ALBERT
Do you fear it's too brilliant for you?--Oh, that wouldn't occur to anybody. Trust me to fix it. In such a play I can do nothing whatever with your musical talent. You see, I can't let you conduct your symphony for the benefit of the public. And so I get both myself and you out of it by putting into your character a little more sense and energy and consistency....
AMADEUS
Than God has given me originally.
ALBERT
Well, it's not very hard to compete with Him!
AMADEUS
I shall certainly be curious about one thing: how you mean to end that play.
ALBERT (_after a brief pause_)
Not very happily, my dear fellow.
AMADEUS (_a little staggered_)
Why?
ALBERT
It is characteristic of all transitional periods, that a conflict which might not exist to a later generation, must end tragically the moment a fairly decent person becomes involved in it.
AMADEUS
But there is no conflict.
ALBERT
I shall not shirk the duty of inventing one.
AMADEUS
Suppose you wait a little while yet...? Perhaps life itself might....
ALBERT
My dear chap, I am not at all interested in what may be done with us by this ridiculous reality which has to get along without stage manager or prompter--this reality which frequently never gets to the fifth act, merely because the hero happens to be struck on the head by a brick in the second. I make the curtain rise when the plot takes a diverting turn, and I drop it the moment I have proved myself in the right.
AMADEUS
Please, my dear fellow, don't forget when writing your play, to introduce a figure on which reality in this case has lavished much more care than on the hero--I mean, the fool.
ALBERT
You can't insult me in that way. I have always regarded myself as closely akin to him.
[_Marie enters with little Peter and the Governess._
PETER
Mamma is coming!
MARIE
The carriage has just stopped outside.
GOVERNESS
It was impossible to make the boy stay in bed.
ALBERT
And look at the fine flowers he has got!
PETER
That's for mamma!
AMADEUS (_takes a flower out of the bunch_)
I hope you permit, sonny ...
CECILIA (_enters followed by the Chambermaid_)
Good evening!--Oh, are you here, too? That's awfully nice!
PETER
Mamma!--Flowers!
CECILIA (_picks him up and kisses him_)
My boy! My boy! (_Then she shakes hands with the rest_)
AMADEUS (_handing her the single flower_)
Peter let me have one, too.
CECILIA
Thanks. (_She shakes hands with him; then to the chambermaid_) Get my things out of the carriage, please. The coachman will help you. He has been paid already.
CHAMBERMAID (_goes out_)
CECILIA (_taking off her hat_)
Well, Marie?... (_To the other two_) Can it be possible that you have been working?
ALBERT
We have tried.
CECILIA (_to the governess_)
Has he behaved like a little man?
PETER
Indeed I have! Have you brought anything for me?
CECILIA
Of course. But you won't get it until to-morrow morning.
PETER
Why not?
CECILIA
Because I am too tired to unpack. To-morrow, when you wake up, you'll find it on your little table.
PETER
What is it?
CECILIA
You'll see by and by....
PETER
Is my little table big enough for it?
CECILIA
We'll hope so.
AMADEUS (_who is leaning against the piano, keeps looking at her all the time_)
CECILIA (_pretends not to notice him_)
ALBERT
You're looking splendid.
CECILIA
I'm a little bit worn out.
AMADEUS
You must be hungry.
CECILIA
Not at all. We had something to eat in the dining car. Almost everybody did. But I do want a cup of tea. (_To the governess_) Will you see to it, please?
AMADEUS
Let me have a cup, too, and please see that I get a few slices of cold meat.
GOVERNESS
I have given orders for it already. (_She goes out_)
CECILIA
Have you really been waiting for me with the supper?
AMADEUS
No ... I haven't been waiting. I ... simply never thought of it.
CECILIA (_to Albert and Marie_)
Why don't you sit down?
ALBERT
No, we are going, my dear Cecilia. Let me congratulate you with all my heart--that will be enough for to-day.
MARIE
You have celebrated regular triumphs, they say?
CECILIA
Well, it wasn't bad. (_To Amadeus_) Did you get my telegram?
AMADEUS
Yes, it pleased me tremendously.
CECILIA
Think of it, children! After the performance I was commanded to appear in the box of His Majesty!
ALBERT
Commanded...? Invited, I hope you mean! Neither emperor nor king has the right to command you.
CECILIA
You old anarchist! But what does it matter? One goes to the box nevertheless. And you would have done that, too.
ALBERT
Why not? One must, if possible, study every form of existence at close quarters.
AMADEUS
And what did the Emperor have to say?
CECILIA
He was very complimentary. Had never seen a better Carmen.
ALBERT
The very next thing he'll order an opera for you from some Spaniard.[5]
[5] This refers to a habit of Emperor William's, from whom the Italian composer, Leoncavallo, among others, once received such an order.
GOVERNESS (_enters_)
The tea will be here in a moment.
AMADEUS
Now you must get back to bed, Peter. It's late.
GOVERNESS (_wants to take the boy away_)
PETER
No, mamma must take me to bed as when I was a little baby.
CECILIA
Come on then!--Mercy me, how heavy you have grown. (_Goes out with Peter and the governess_)
MARIE
My, but she is pretty!
AMADEUS
Haven't you discovered that before?
ALBERT
Well, good-by then!
AMADEUS
Until to-morrow. I shall be expecting you early--between nine and ten.
MARIE (_to Amadeus as she is going out_)
Don't you regret having to leave her again at once?
AMADEUS
Duty, my dear Marie....
CECILIA (_returning_)
Oh, are you really going?--Good-by then--for a little while!
[_Albert and Marie go out._
CECILIA (_going to the fireplace_)
Home again! (_She sits down_)
AMADEUS (_near the door and speaking rather shyly_)
It's a question whether it can please you as much as it does me.
CECILIA (_holds out her hand to him_)
AMADEUS (_takes her hand and kisses it; then he seats himself_) Tell me all about it.
CECILIA
What am I to tell? I haven't left anything untold--or hardly anything.
AMADEUS
Well....
CECILIA
Getting home every night--and it was quite late at times, as you know--I sat down and wrote to you. I wish you had been equally explicit.
AMADEUS
But I have written you every day, too.
CECILIA
Nevertheless, my dear, it seems to me you must have lots to add. (_With a laugh_) To many things you have referred in a strikingly casual fashion.
AMADEUS
I might say the same to you.
CECILIA
No, you can't. My letters have practically been diaries. And that's more than could be said of yours.--Well, Amadeus...? Without frankness the whole situation becomes meaningless, I should say.
AMADEUS
What is there to be cleared up?
CECILIA
Is it really all over with Philine?
AMADEUS
That was all over--(_rising_) before you left. And you know it. I really don't think it's necessary to discuss bygone matters.
CECILIA
Will she be able to stay in the company, by the way--after this scandal in connection with your--pardon me!--predecessor?
AMADEUS
Everything has been arranged, I hear. And she has even made up with her husband again.
CECILIA