Part 18
What do you take me for, Count? My cab days are past now. I came by the train, which is the proper thing for me.
COUNT
I see.... But I hear that your fiancé himself....
LOLO
Oh, he has more pretentious customers to look after.
PHILIP
Yes, I have just had the pleasure of being conducted here by the fiancé of Miss Pallestri.
COUNT
Is Wasner driving for you? Well, that settles it--of course--clear psychological connection! (_Offers his cigar case_) Want a smoke?
PHILIP (_accepting_)
Thank you.
PRINCE
But, Philip...! A monster like that before lunch!
COUNT
Excellent. Nothing better for the health. And I like you. Suppose we sit down.
[_The Count, the Prince and Philip seat themselves, while Mizzie and Lolo remain standing close to them._
COUNT
So you'll be off with your father to-morrow?
PHILIP
Yes, Count. And I'm tremendously pleased to think of it.
COUNT
Will you be gone long?
PRINCE
That depends on several circumstances.
PHILIP
I have to report myself at the regiment on the first of October.
PRINCE
And it's possible that I may go farther south after that.
COUNT
Well, that's news. Where?
PRINCE (_with a glance at Mizzie_)
Egypt, and the Sudan maybe--for a little hunting.
MIZZIE (_to Lolo_)
Let me show you the park.
LOLO
It's a marvel. Ours isn't a patch on it, of course. (_She and Mizzie come forward_)
MIZZIE
Have you a garden at your place, too?
LOLO
Certainly. As well as an ancestral palace--at Ottakring.[7] The great-grandfather of Wasner was in the cab business in his days already.--My, but that's beautiful! The way those flowers are hanging down. I must have something just like it.
[7] One of the factory districts of Vienna, known chiefly because of the big insane asylum located there.
COUNT (_disturbed_)
Why are the ladies leaving us?
MIZZIE
Never mind, papa, I'm merely explaining the architecture of our façade.
PHILIP
Do you often get visits of theatrical ladies, Count?
COUNT
No, this is merely an accident.
[_The men stroll off toward those parts of the garden that are not visible._
MIZZIE
It seems strange that I have never before had a chance of meeting you. I am very glad to see you.
LOLO (_with a grateful glance_)
And so I am. Of course, I have known you by sight these many years. Often and often have I looked up at your box.
MIZZIE
But not at me.
LOLO
Oh, that's all over now.
MIZZIE
Do you know, I really feel a little offended--on _his_ behalf.
LOLO
Offended, you say...?
MIZZIE
It will be a hard blow for him. Nobody knows better than I how deeply he has been attached to you. Although he has never said a word to me about it.
LOLO
Do you think it's so very easy for me either, Countess? But tell me. Countess, what else could I do? I am no longer a spring chicken, you know. And one can't help hankering for something more settled. As long as I had a profession of my own, I could allow myself--what do they call it now?--to entertain liberal ideas. It goes in a way with the position I have held. But how would that look now, when I am retiring to private life?
MIZZIE
Oh, I can see that perfectly. But what is _he_ going to do now?
LOLO
Why shouldn't he marry, too? I assure you, Countess, that there are many who would give all their five fingers.... Don't you realize, Countess, that I, too, have found it a hard step to take?
MIZZIE
Do you know what I have been wondering often? Whether he never thought of making _you_ his wife?
LOLO
Oh, yes, that's just what he wanted.
MIZZIE
Why...?!
LOLO
Do you know when he asked me the last time, Countess? Less than a month ago.
MIZZIE
And you said no?
LOLO
I did. It would have done no good. Me a Countess! Can you imagine it? I being your stepmother, Countess...! Then we could not have been chatting nicely as we are doing now.
MIZZIE
If you only knew how sympathetically you affect me....
LOLO
But I don't want to appear better than I am. And who knows what I might....
MIZZIE
What might you?
LOLO
Well, this is the truth of it. I have gone clear off my head about Wasner. Which I hope won't make you think the worse of me. In all these eighteen years I have had nothing to blame myself with, as far as your dear papa is concerned. But you can't wonder if my feelings began to cool off a little as the years passed along. And rather than to make your dear papa--oh, no, no, Countess ... I owe him too much gratitude for that.... Lord!
MIZZIE
What is it?
LOLO
There he is now, looking right at me.
MIZZIE (_looks in the direction indicated_)
WASNER (_who has appeared at the entrance, raises his tall hat in salute_)
LOLO
Don't you think me an awful fool, Countess? Every time I catch sight of him suddenly, my heart starts beating like everything. Yes, there's no fool like an old one.
MIZZIE
Old...? Do you call yourself old? Why, there can't be much difference between us.
LOLO
Oh, mercy.... (_With a glance at Mizzie_)
MIZZIE
I am thirty-seven.--No, don't look at me with any pity. There is no cause for that. None whatever.
LOLO (_apparently relieved_)
I have heard some whispers. Countess--of course, I didn't believe anything. But I thank heaven it was true. (_They shake hands_)
MIZZIE
I should like to congratulate your fiancé right now, if you'll permit me.
LOLO
That's too sweet of you--but what about the Count--perhaps he wouldn't like...?
MIZZIE
My dear, I have always been accustomed to do as I pleased. (_They go together toward the entrance_)
WASNER
You're too kind, Countess....
[_The Count, the Prince and Philip have reappeared in the meantime._
COUNT
Look at that, will you!
WASNER
Good morning, Count. Good morning, Highness.
PRINCE
I say, Wasner, you may just as well take your bride home in that trap of yours. My son is coming with me.
WASNER
Your son...?
PHILIP
Why haven't you told me that you were engaged, Wasner?
WASNER
Well, there are things you haven't told either ... Mr. von Radeiner!
COUNT (_to Lolo_)
Thank you very much for your friendly visit, and please accept my very best wishes.
LOLO
The same to you, Count. And I must say, that when one has such a daughter....
MIZZIE
It's too bad I haven't come to know you before.
LOLO
Oh, really, Countess....
MIZZIE
Once more, my dear Miss Lolo, good luck to you! (_Mizzie embraces Lolo_)
COUNT (_looks on with surprise and some genuine emotion_)
LOLO
I thank you for the kind reception, Count--and good-by!
COUNT
Good-by, Miss Langhuber. I trust you'll be happy ... indeed I do, Lolo.
LOLO (_gets into the carriage which has driven up to the gate in the meantime_)
WASNER (_is on the box, hat in hand; they drive off_)
MIZZIE (_waves her hand at them as they disappear_)
PHILIP (_who has been standing in the foreground with the Prince_) Oh, my dear papa, I can see through the whole story.
PRINCE
You can?
PHILIP
This Miss Lolo must be the natural daughter of the Count, and a sister of the Countess--her foster-sister, as they say.
PRINCE
No, you would call that a step-sister. But go on, Mr. Diplomat.
PHILIP
And of course, both are in love with you--both the Countess and the ballet dancer. And this marriage between the dancer and Wasner is your work.
PRINCE
Go on.
PHILIP
You know--there's something I never thought of until just now!
PRINCE
What?
PHILIP
I don't know if I dare?
PRINCE
Why so timid all at once?
PHILIP
Supposing my mother was not dead....
PRINCE
H'm....
PHILIP
And, through a remarkable combination of circumstances, she should now be going back to the city in the very carriage that brought me out here...? And suppose it should be my own mother, whose picture I cut out of that newspaper...?
PRINCE
My lad, you'll certainly end as a cabinet minister--Secretary of Agriculture, if nothing better.--But now it's time for us to say good-by.
[_The Count and Mizzie are coming forward again._
PRINCE
Well, my dear friend, this must be our farewell call, I am sorry to say.
COUNT
But why don't you stay.... That would be delightful ... if you could take lunch with us....
PRINCE
Unfortunately, it isn't possible. We have an appointment at Sacher's.[8]
[8] A fashionable restaurant near the Imperial Palace in the Inner City.
COUNT
That's really too bad. And shall I not see you at all during the Summer?
PRINCE
Oh, we shall not be entirely out of touch.
COUNT
And are you starting to-morrow already?
PRINCE
Yes.
COUNT
Where are you going?
PRINCE
To the sea shore--Ostend.
COUNT
Oh, you are bound for Ostend. I have long wanted to go there.
PRINCE
But that would be fine....
COUNT
What do you think, Mizzie? Let's be fashionable. Let's go to Ostend, too.
MIZZIE
I can't answer yet. But there's no reason why you shouldn't go, papa.
PHILIP
That would be delightful, Countess. It would please me awfully.
MIZZIE (_smiling_)
That's very kind of you, Philip. (_She holds out her hand to him_)
PHILIP (_kisses her hand_)
COUNT (_to the Prince_)
The children seem to get along beautifully.
PRINCE
Yes, that's what I have been thinking. Good-by then. Good-by, my dear Mizzie. And good-by to you, my dear old fellow. I hope at least to see _you_ again at Ostend.
COUNT
Oh, she'll come along. Won't you, Mizzie? After all, you can get studios by the sea shore, too. Or how about it, Mizzie?
MIZZIE (_remains silent_)
PRINCE
Well, until we meet again! (_He shakes hands with the Count and Mizzie_)
PHILIP (_kisses the hand of Mizzie once more_)
COUNT (_giving his hand to Philip_)
It has been a great pleasure.
[_The Prince and Philip go out through the gate and step into the carriage which has been driving up in the meantime, and which now carries them off. The Count and Mizzie come forward again and seat themselves at the table under the tree. Pause._
COUNT
Hasn't this been a queer day?
MIZZIE
All life is queer--only we forget it most of the time.
COUNT
I suppose you're right. (_Pause_)
MIZZIE
You know, papa, you might just as well have brought us together a little earlier.
COUNT
Who? Oh, you and....
MIZZIE
Me and Miss Lolo. She's a dear.
COUNT
So you like her? Well, if it were only possible to know in advance.... But what's the use? Now it's all over.
MIZZIE (_takes hold of his hand_)
COUNT (_rises and kisses her on the forehead; strolls about aimlessly for a few seconds_) Tell me, Mizzie, what you think.... How do you like the boy?
MIZZIE
Philip? Oh, rather fresh.
COUNT
Fresh, perhaps, but smart. I hope he'll stay in the army. That's a much more sensible career than the diplomatic service. Slow, but sure. All you need is to live long enough in order to become a general. But a political career.... Now look at Egon ... three times he has almost become a minister.... And suppose he had succeeded? (_Walking back and forth_) Yes, yes ... we shall be rather lonely this Summer.
MIZZIE
But why shouldn't you go to Ostend, papa?
COUNT
Yes, why not...? Really, won't you come along? It would be rather ... without you, you know.... It's no use looking at me like that. I know! I haven't paid as much attention to you in the past as I should have....
MIZZIE (_taking his hand again_)
Oh, papa, you're not going to apologize, are you? I understand perfectly.
COUNT
Oh, well. But, you see, I shall not get much joy out of that trip without you. And what would you be doing here, all by yourself? You can't paint all day long.
MIZZIE
The only trouble is ... the Prince has asked me to marry him.
COUNT
What? Is it possible? No, you don't mean.... And ... and you said no?
MIZZIE
Practically.
COUNT
You did...? Oh, well.... After all, I have never tried to persuade you. It must be as you.... But I can't understand why. I have noticed for a long time, that he.... As far as age is concerned, you wouldn't be badly matched. And as for the rest ... sixty millions are not to be despised exactly. But just as you say.
MIZZIE (_remains silent_)
COUNT
Or could it possibly be on account of the boy? That would be to exaggerate the matter, I assure you. Things of that kind occur in the very best families. And particularly when you consider that his heart always remained with his wife.... All of a sudden you get dragged into an affair of that kind without exactly knowing how.
MIZZIE
And some poor girl of the people is thrown aside and allowed to go to the dogs.
COUNT
Oh, please, that's only in the books. And how could he help it? That kind of women seem always to die off early. And who knows what he might have done, if she hadn't died.... I really think that his action in regard to the boy has been pretty decent. That took courage, you know. I could tell you more than one case.... But don't let us talk of it. If that should be the only thing against him, however.... And besides, our being together at Ostend wouldn't commit you in any way.
MIZZIE
No, that's true.
COUNT
Well, then ... I tell you what. You make the trip with me. And if the place suits you, you can stay. If not, you can go on to London for a visit with Aunt Lora. I mean simply, that there is no sense in your letting me go away alone.
MIZZIE
All right.
COUNT
What do you mean?
MIZZIE
I'll go with you. But without any obligation--absolutely free.
COUNT
You'll come with me, you say?
MIZZIE
I will, papa.
COUNT
Oh, I'm so glad. Thank you, Mizzie.
MIZZIE
Why should you thank me? It's a pleasure to me.
COUNT
You can't imagine, of course ... without you, Mizzie.... There would be so much to remember--this time in particular.... You know, of course, that I took Lolo to Normandy last year?
MIZZIE
Of course, I know....
COUNT
And as far as Egon is concerned ... not that I want to persuade you by any means ... but in a strange place like that you often get more acquainted with a person in a couple of days than during many years at home.
MIZZIE
It's settled now that I go with you, papa. And as for the rest, don't let us talk of it--for the time being.
COUNT
Then, you know, I'm going to telephone to the ticket office at once and reserve sleeping car compartments for the day after to-morrow--or for to-morrow.
MIZZIE
Are you in such a hurry?
COUNT
What's the use of sitting about here, once we have made up our minds? So I'll telephone.... Does that suit you?
MIZZIE
Yes.
COUNT (_puts his arms about her_)
PROFESSOR WINDHOFER (_appears at the garden gate_)
COUNT
Why, there's the professor. Have you a lesson to-day?
MIZZIE
I had forgotten it, too.
PROFESSOR (_handsome; about thirty-five; his beard is blond and trimmed to a point; he is very carefully dressed, and wears a gray overcoat; he takes off his hat as he enters the garden and comes forward_)
Good morning, Countess. How do you do, Count?
COUNT
Good morning, my dear Professor, and how are you? You have to pardon me. I was just about to go to the telephone--we are going away, you know.
PROFESSOR
Oh, are you going away? Please, don't let me detain you.
COUNT
I suppose I shall see you later, Professor. (_He goes into the house_)
PROFESSOR
So you are going away, Countess?
MIZZIE
Yes, to Ostend.
PROFESSOR
That's rather a sudden decision.
MIZZIE
Yes, rather. But that's my way.
PROFESSOR
That means an end to the lessons for the present, I suppose? Too bad.
MIZZIE
I don't think I shall be able to-day even ... I am feeling a little upset.
PROFESSOR
Do you?--Well, you look rather pale, Maria.
MIZZIE
Oh, you think so?
PROFESSOR
And how long will you be gone?
MIZZIE
Until the Fall probably--perhaps until very late in the Fall even.
PROFESSOR
Then we can resume our lessons next November at the earliest, I suppose?
MIZZIE (_smiling_)
I don't think we shall....
PROFESSOR
Oh, you don't think so? (_They look hard at each other_)
MIZZIE
No, I don't.
PROFESSOR
Which means, Maria--that I am discharged.
MIZZIE
How can you put it that way, Rudolph? That is not quite fair.
PROFESSOR
Pardon me. But it really came a little more suddenly than I had expected.
MIZZIE
Better that than have it come too slow. Don't you think so?
PROFESSOR
Well, girl, I have no intention whatever to make any reproaches.
MIZZIE
Well, you have no reason. And it wouldn't be nice either. (_She holds out her hand to him_)
PROFESSOR (_takes her hand and kisses it_)
Will you please excuse me to the Count?
MIZZIE
Are you going already...?
PROFESSOR (_unconcernedly_)
Isn't that better?
MIZZIE (_after a pause, during which she looks straight into his eyes_) Yes, I think so. (_They shake hands_)
PROFESSOR
Good luck, Maria.
MIZZIE
Same to you.... And remember me to your wife and the children.
PROFESSOR
I won't forget, Countess. (_He goes out_)
MIZZIE (_remains on the same spot for a little while, following him with her eyes_)
COUNT (_on the terrace_)
Everything is ready. We'll leave at nine-thirty to-morrow night.--But what has become of the professor?
MIZZIE
I sent him away.
COUNT
Oh, you did?--And can you guess who has the compartment between yours and mine?... Egon and his young gentleman. Won't they be surprised though?
MIZZIE
Yes ... won't they? (_She goes into the house_)