My dear Countess, when a woman is as beauti-- I mean, that when a woman is the centre of so much interest, it"s not surprising that some notice was taken of the attentions which he--
The Lady (_somewhat impatiently_).
Yes--but----?
v. Wolters.
It naturally was observed that my friend----
The Lady.
Our friend had a--what shall I say--a susceptible heart. We knew that, who knew him so well. This was not the first time he had--been interested in a woman. And that was why I arranged to have him seen in our house as little as possible--lately, not at all.
v. Wolters.
That fact did not escape notice, Countess. And as Baron Renoir was frequently seen with you--instead of----
The Lady (_somewhat excited_).
Don"t mention that name, Herr von Wolters! I can"t stand it! What could have possessed that man Renoir--? But do tell me the rest. I"ve heard only the merest details. They"ve only told me what they thought necessary.
v. Wolters.
No one knows what actually occurred between the two men. He begged me to ask no questions. You know, he was so reserved of late. It may be that certain expressions which pa.s.sed between them a few days ago--after they had been drinking--had something to do with it--no one knows. Perhaps there was some insult which was given in private--and which neither of them would make public. The a.s.surance that the injury, whatever it may have been, was irreparable, must satisfy us.
The Lady.
Oh, how I hate that man Renoir!--quite apart from the trouble which he has gotten me into! My husband warned me against him long ago. "That scoundrel will compromise you some day," he said, "and then I"ll have to fight a duel with him." Instead--this! Oh, you poor, poor darling!
And now, when all was so quiet and peaceful between us!
v. Wolters.
My dear Countess, if you think that the change which came over him in the last few months betokened peace and quiet----
The Lady (_nervously_).
I don"t know anything about that! It wasn"t my fault! Was I to blame if he insisted on having notions? Tell me one thing, Herr von Wolters, did he die easily?
v. Wolters.
No one dies easily, Countess.
The Lady.
Was he still living when they reached the house?
v. Wolters.
No, he died on the field.
The Lady.
Do you know my first name, Herr von Wolters?
v. Wolters.
Certainly.
The Lady (_hesitating_).
Did he--by any chance--speak--that name?
v. Wolters.
That would have betrayed his secret, Countess.
The Lady.
I only meant--at the very last--when he was no longer--conscious.
v. Wolters.
No, Countess. But--pardon me, I don"t want to be indelicate--but did he ever call you by some little--little term of endearment--some-- (_Stops, embarra.s.sed._)
The Lady.
Why do you ask?
v. Wolters.
At the very end, he kept murmuring something that sounded like "Girlie"--or----
The Lady (_indignantly_).
My dear Herr von Wolters, our intimacy was of a different sort.
v. Wolters.
Pardon me, Countess, but you yourself asked. (_She nods. A short pause._)
The Lady.
Good heavens--these curtains over the mirrors! They make me feel as if I were looking a blind man in the eyes!
v. Wolters.
Would you like to have me remove them?
The Lady.