The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie - BestLightNovel.com
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Well, it doesn't matter. I have made good use of my time. I went on through the woods as far as Neustift and Salmansdorf.[6] And then I got out and followed a road that I remembered since many years ago. (_She looks at Julian_) I rested on a bench where I sat once many, many years ago, with a close friend. (_Smilingly_) Can you guess, Mr. Fichtner?
The outlook is wonderful. Beyond the fields you have a perfect view of the whole city as far as the Danube.
[6] Former villages, now suburbs of Vienna, lying still nearer the city limits than Dornbach, where Sala is living.
SALA (_pointing to the stone seat_)
Won't you sit down here for a while, Miss Herms?
IRENE
Thanks. (_She raises her lorgnette to study the busts of the two emperors_) It makes one feel quite Roman.... But I hope, gentlemen, I haven't interrupted any conference.
SALA
Not at all.
IRENE
I have that feeling, however. All of you look so serious.--I think I'll rather leave.
SALA
Oh, you mustn't, Miss Herms.--Is there anything more you want to ask me about that affair of ours, Felix?
FELIX
If Miss Herms would pardon me for a minute....
IRENE
Oh, certainly--please!
SALA
You'll excuse me, Miss Herms....
FELIX
It is a question of what I should do in regard to my present commission.--(_He is still speaking as he goes out with Sala_)
IRENE
What kind of secrets have those two together? What's going on here anyhow?
JULIAN
Nothing that can be called a secret. That young fellow is also going to join the expedition, I hear. And so they have a lot of things to talk over, of course.
IRENE (_who has been following Felix and Sala with her eyes_) Julian--it's he.
JULIAN (_remains silent_)
IRENE
You don't need to answer me. The matter has been in my mind all the time.... The only thing I can't understand is why I haven't discovered it before. It is he.--And he is twenty-three.--And I who actually thought when you drove me away: if only he doesn't kill himself!... And there goes his son.
JULIAN
What does that help me? He doesn't belong to me.
IRENE
But look at him! He is there--he's alive, and young, and handsome.
Isn't that enough? (_She rises_) And I who was ruined by it!
JULIAN
How?
IRENE
Do you understand? Ruined....
JULIAN
I have never suspected it.
IRENE
Well, you couldn't have helped me anyhow. (_Pause_) Good-by. Make an excuse for me, please. Tell them anything you want. I am going away, and I don't want to know anything more.
JULIAN
What's the matter with you? Nothing has changed.
IRENE
You think so?--To me it is as if all these twenty-three years had suddenly undergone a complete change.--Good-by.
JULIAN
Good-by--for a while.
IRENE
For a while? Do you care?--Really?--Do you feel sad, Julian?--Now I am sorry for you again. (_Shaking her head_) Of course, that's the way you are. So what is there to do about it?
JULIAN
