The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie Part 65

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 (_embarra.s.sed_)

I ... I thought ... Or rather, I knew ...

AMADEUS (_with an air of superiority_)

Well, well--there is no cause for embarra.s.sment in that. Don't you consider the Prince an uncommonly sympathetic person?

MARIE

Yes, he's very pleasant. But I can a.s.sure 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 relations.h.i.+p 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 relations.h.i.+p.

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_)