Permit me to introduce myself--Baron Radeiner.
LOLO
So that"s you, Your Highness?
PHILIP
I have let n.o.body but Wasner drive me since I came here.
LOLO
And under an a.s.sumed name at that, Your Highness? Well, we are finding out a lot of nice things about you!
COUNT (_appears, very hot_)
Well, here I am. (_Taking in the situation_) Ah!
LOLO
Your humble servant, Count! I have taken the liberty--I wanted to thank you for the magnificent flowers.
COUNT
Oh, please--it was a great pleasure....
PRINCE
And here, old friend, is my son Philip.
PHILIP
I regard myself as greatly honored, Count.
COUNT (_giving his hand to Philip_)
I bid you welcome to my house. Please consider yourself at home here.--I don"t think any further introductions are required.
MIZZIE
No, papa.
COUNT (_slightly embarra.s.sed_)
It"s very charming of you, my dear lady. Of course, you know better than anybody that I have always been one of your admirers.... But tell me, please, how in the world did you get out here? I have just been taking a walk along the main road, where every carriage has to pa.s.s, and I didn"t see you.
LOLO
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 fiance 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 fiance 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 circ.u.mstances.
PHILIP
I have to report myself at the regiment on the first of October.