Not to feel, not to think, not to laugh, not to cry--not to live, in short, dear doctor!
Kahlenberg.
Well, I don"t object to the laughing.
Beata.
It"s just as well you don"t, for it"s a habit you couldn"t break me of.
There is so much to laugh at in this vale of tears! Well, good-bye, doctor! (Kahlenberg _goes out_.)
Beata (_to_ Baron Ludwig).
This will interest you too. Herr Holtzmann--you know Herr Holtzmann?--has just brought me the returns from Lengenfeld. Only fancy, your brother has a majority of a hundred and thirty-one! Think of that!
Baron Ludwig.
Don"t let us be too sanguine.
Beata.
Oh----
Holtzmann.
Six districts are still to be heard from, Countess, and we know that four of these belong to the Socialists. It is still doubtful if we can gain a majority.
Beata (_concealing her disappointment_).
And when do you expect to hear the final result?
Holtzmann.
At any moment now.
Beata.
And when you _do_ hear----
Holtzmann.
I will jump into a cab and bring you the news instantly.
Beata.
Thank you so "much. (_Gives him her hand_.) Is Baron Volkerlingk at home?
Holtzmann.
He went for a ride. I daresay I shall find him on my return.
Beata.
Remember me to him, won"t you? (Holtzmann _takes leave with a bow_.)
Baron Ludwig.
What do you hear from Kellinghausen? He is still at Lengenfeld, I hear.
Beata.
I have just had a letter. Now that the elections are over he means to take a day"s shooting, and then he is coming home--free from his party-duties for the first time in years!
Baron Ludwig.
And what does the Egeria of the party say to such a state of things?
Beata.
Do you mean _me_, your Excellency?
Baron Ludwig.
I mean the woman at whose delightful dinner-table the fate of more than one important bill has been decided. Now that Kellinghausen has retired into private life, do you mean to keep up the little political dinners we"ve always been so much afraid of?
Beata.
I hope so, your Excellency. And if you care to beard the lion in his den, I shall be charmed to send you an invitation. You haven"t dined with us in an age. I"ve always fancied that the estrangement between your brother and yourself might be the cause of our seeing so little of you.
Baron Ludwig.
My dear Countess, those eyes of yours see through everything; and I read in them all the answers I might make to that question. Ah, well--Richard had the good luck, the unspeakable good luck, to win your friendship, and under your influence, to develop into the man he is!
Beata.
I know how to listen when clever men are talking. That is the secret of what you call my influence.
Baron Ludwig.
You think so?--Well--there was Richard, dabbling in poetry and politics, in archaeology and explorations, like the typical n.o.ble amateur. He had a fortune from his mother, while I was poor. But in one respect I was richer than he; for he married a fool who dragged him down to the level of her own silly sn.o.bbishness. But then you came--and lifted him up again. Then all his dormant powers awoke--he discovered his gift as a speaker, he became the mouthpiece of the party, he got into the Reichstag, and----
Beata.
And dropped out again.
Baron Ludwig.
Exactly. And the estrangement between us dates from that time. It was reported that government had left him in the lurch, and I was thought to be more or less responsible.
Beata.